A nursery worker who smeared food waste in the face of a child under her care has been sentenced to five months in prison. Helen Walker, 49, of Watson Avenue, Mansfield, committed the act on 24 February 2023 and subsequently attempted to cover up her actions.

Walker, who worked at a local nursery, was seen on CCTV scooping up leftover food scraps and pushing them into the face of a toddler who has additional needs. The footage showed the distressed child crying while Walker ignored him and then sought to shift the blame.

Nottingham Crown Court heard on Wednesday (15 May) that Walker tried to disguise her actions by approaching another child and loudly suggesting that the young victim had taken the food from them. This attempt to mislead others in the nursery was caught on the same CCTV footage.

The incident was reported to the police, prompting a detailed investigation. Detectives used the CCTV evidence to confirm that Walker had deliberately targeted the child. Following the investigation, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of assault, ill-treatment, or neglect of a child.

“Nursery staff are placed in the ultimate position of trust to care for young children,” said Investigator Jacqui Edwards of Nottinghamshire Police. “Walker betrayed that trust with these appalling actions, which are further aggravated by the fact our young victim has additional needs. She then tried to portray the child as a troublemaker in an attempt to conceal what she had done.”

Edwards commended the child’s parents for their cooperation during the investigation and reassured them of ongoing support. She also praised the nursery staff and management for their prompt action in reporting Walker’s conduct and for their cooperation throughout the investigation.

“The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance to the force,” Edwards added. “Specialist officers have carried out a thorough investigation which has led to this outcome in court.”