A teacher who smeared left over food scraps into a vulnerable toddler’s face has been jailed for five months. Helen Walker, 49, of Watson Avenue in Mansfield, ignored the child’s cries of distress and even attempted to blame the child saying he had stolen another child’s food. But CCTV footage proved that Walker had scooped up the food and then deliberately sought out the child.
The boy has developmental needs and struggles with some foods because sensory issues affect how certain textures feel on his skin.
The incident happened in February last year. “After smearing the food in his face, Walker was then seen to attempt to cover up the offence”, Nottinghamshire Police said. “She was seen on CCTV approaching another child and loudly suggested the young victim had taken the food from them.”
Judge Mark Watson sitting at Nottingham Crown Court this week described the “deliberate and calculated act” as “appalling”. He sentenced Walker to five months in jail and banned her from working with children. She had pleaded guilty to a single charge of “assault, ill-treatment or neglect of a child”.
“Nursery staff are placed in the ultimate position of trust to care for young children”, Jacqui Edwards from Nottinghamshire Police said. “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.
“The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance to the force. Once alerted to this offence, specialist officers have carried out a thorough investigation which has led to this outcome in court.
“I would like to thank the child’s parents for their help through what must have been a very difficult experience. We will continue to support them in any way we can.
“Nursery staff and management should also be commended for taking immediate action against Walker and informing police. They have also supported our investigation throughout.”
