Worker at nursery where baby died jailed for abusing children in her care

A ‘callous’ nursery worker who manhandled, verbally abused and threatened children in her care has been jailed for three years.

Rebecca Gregory, 25, pleaded guilty to four counts of child cruelty while working at Tiny Toes Children’s Day Nursey in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Gregory was arrested after detectives investigating the killing of a baby by a colleague found CCTV showing her committing ‘deplorable’ acts against four young children.

The colleague Kate Roughley, 37, was jailed in May for 14 years for the manslaughter of nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan in May 2022.

She had strapped Genevieve face-down to a beanbag and left her for 90 minutes as a ‘punishment’ for not sleeping enough, a court heard.

Footage reviewed as part of the case showed Gregory verbally abusing and mishandling the four youngsters.

On various occasions she could be seen pushing one of their heads down, roughly thrusting another onto the floor and threatening to kick one in the head.

Greater Manchester Police said: ‘On one occasion, she swaddled a child so tightly that he couldn’t move. Seeing the child was visibly distressed, she forced his head down, preventing him from moving.

‘On another occasion, she swaddled a child tightly, telling him to “f***ing go home”.’

‘From the CCTV footage on Tuesday 26 April 2022, it was evident that Rebecca Gregory’s interactions with the children were callous and lacked proper care and compassion.

‘She failed to adhere to the correct, safe, and expected requirements and responsibility that comes with caring for young children.’

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Natalie Pettit said: ‘[Gregory] knew her actions fell far beyond the correct professional standards but failed to take any reasonable steps to protect these children.

‘This was a harrowing investigation which uncovered several unacceptable behaviours and practices at Tiny Toes Nursery.

‘It was clear to see that there was a culture of not challenging inappropriate behaviour which ultimately placed several children who were under their care at risk of serious harm.’

Karen Tongue, a specialist prosecutor with the CPS, said: ‘The way she spoke to them was truly appalling and I have been shocked and saddened by the wilful ill-treatment of the children.

‘Parents should be able to place their children in nursery knowing they will be nurtured and cared for. Cases such as this damage the trust between parents and carers.

‘Gregory must now face the consequences of her actions.’

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