Gransnet forums

News & politics

Nursery Worker Vincent Chan

(76 Posts)
Allira Thu 12-Feb-26 18:48:16

Tbe nursery worker, Vincent Chan, hs been found guilty of 56 charges of sexual assault, possession of indecent images and voyeurism.

Judge John Dodd KC told Wood Green Crown Court that Chan was a "perverse and depraved" man who had "clearly lost all sense of moral compass". His offences spanned from 2008 to 2024 and his victims ranged in age from two to a woman in her 70s.

He received a mere 18 years sentence for these offences.

Chan, who was sentenced to a further eight years on extended licence, also confessed to spying on girls and women as they got undressed in their bedrooms and used the toilet, as well as sexually assaulting a woman as she slept.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl4np670llo

This is the second case this week. Nursery worker Nathan Bennett was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court, to be sentenced at a later date.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly3yn4kjwzo

Is it just me, or should these vile paedophiles never be let out of prison again? Is it time our sentencing guidelines were revisited? Chan's sentence in no way reflects the crimes and the long lasting agony he has caused to so many families.

25Avalon Fri 13-Feb-26 10:20:17

Imagine discovering that disgusting perverted individual lived in your village where your grandchildren play, as my friend did. She is horrified and glad she never let the gc out of her sight. You can never be too careful. Evil walks amongst us. The nurseries seem to have acted quite quickly. I would imagine they checked for an enhanced DBS but if no previous convictions it would be clear. They should be imprisoned for life and castrated.

David49 Fri 13-Feb-26 10:21:03

Another example of why men should be banned from nursery schools

Casdon Fri 13-Feb-26 10:23:10

No David not all men are sexual predators. I agree with TerriBull, cameras in all areas would be a sensible requirement for all nurseries and pre school settings.

Galaxy Fri 13-Feb-26 10:26:16

The percentage is high though, the last figures I saw were very worrying. I think you have to accept that you are increasing the risk to children.

Allira Fri 13-Feb-26 10:27:44

Casdon

No David not all men are sexual predators. I agree with TerriBull, cameras in all areas would be a sensible requirement for all nurseries and pre school settings.

Women can be abusers and paedophiles too. However, a far higher proportion of men are paedophiles than are women.

Allira Fri 13-Feb-26 10:30:08

Safeguarding in these two nurseries and in others, particularly that case which Terribull mentions (which I remember), seems to be non-existent.

Casdon Fri 13-Feb-26 10:33:19

Galaxy

The percentage is high though, the last figures I saw were very worrying. I think you have to accept that you are increasing the risk to children.

Are you advocating all men should be banned from those settings Galaxy, or recommending improved safeguards?

Allira Fri 13-Feb-26 10:36:41

It's finding the line between safeguarding to the extent of installing CCTV cameras in nurseries and the subsequent risk that someone could use those images for nefarious purposes.

David49 Fri 13-Feb-26 10:45:22

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Allira Fri 13-Feb-26 10:47:08

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Allira Fri 13-Feb-26 10:49:52

No-one said that David49 and I think you should withdraw that statement.
😡

Galaxy Fri 13-Feb-26 10:53:29

I am not sure yet about a ban Casdon, but I have very serious concerns, and have certainly been thinking more seriously about it, it is certainly being discussed by some women who have spent their lives working to protect women and children.

Casdon Fri 13-Feb-26 11:17:06

Galaxy

I am not sure yet about a ban Casdon, but I have very serious concerns, and have certainly been thinking more seriously about it, it is certainly being discussed by some women who have spent their lives working to protect women and children.

I think it others men who are not abusers. The implication is that a man should never be left alone with a child. I’m all for much improved safeguarding though.

Caleo Fri 13-Feb-26 11:59:00

Is a criminal like him actually mentally deficient?

AGAA4 Fri 13-Feb-26 12:02:03

Pedophiles make life difficult for decent men to take up work in childcare.
It's a shame as men can be a valuable asset in these settings.
I don't know what can be done but the safety of the children has to take priority.

Fallingstar Fri 13-Feb-26 12:07:38

I think that the only way to safeguard sufficiently, whether is a male or female nursery nurse, is to have more cameras that the staff can see and so know they are monitored in all areas and to make sure that nappy changing and toilet areas are open with preferably two members of staff present when a child needs to be changed or to go to the toilet. This is a wake up call for all nurseries.

Fallingstar Fri 13-Feb-26 12:11:15

Sadly pedos will look for jobs that ensure they are with children therefore vetting has to be ironclad though I imagine some pedos have no previous history.
I now fear for my smallest GCs who are at nursery, I would have thought they were safe there, now I don’t think they will be safe anywhere.

Tuliptree Fri 13-Feb-26 12:35:55

Fallingstar

Sadly pedos will look for jobs that ensure they are with children therefore vetting has to be ironclad though I imagine some pedos have no previous history.
I now fear for my smallest GCs who are at nursery, I would have thought they were safe there, now I don’t think they will be safe anywhere.

You’re downright sbout vetting/ it can’t proper procedures within the organisation. For nurseries this can only include more staff and that has financial implications

25Avalon Fri 13-Feb-26 12:36:49

According to Bristol Live the parents have set up a petition at change.org asking for various safeguarding changes for nursery schools. They want CCTV cameras in each one - Bennett was initially caught because he was seen on cctv putting his hand down the front of a child’s trousers. They also say there should always be two adults together, and a warning system for all nurseries. The nursery now currently closed in Bristol has 11 under its management and staff were sometimes employed at more than one. There were also safeguarding concerns raised by Ofsted at its last inspection. Please sign the petition. I will try to put in a link.

Tuliptree Fri 13-Feb-26 12:36:54

FGS -Why don’t I preview? So right not downright

Galaxy Fri 13-Feb-26 12:41:08

If you are asking for 2 staff together st all times the implications are quite frankly enormous, in each room you would need a minimum of 4 staff. What is meant by a warning system?

LemonJam Fri 13-Feb-26 12:41:42

Doodledog
"Is that a fixed sentence, or is it when he is eligible for parole?".

The judge in the OP BBC link explains the 26 year sentence- 10 years custodial and 8 years on extended licence and the role of the Parole Board also in terms of public safety considerations.

Usedtobeblonde Fri 13-Feb-26 12:42:07

I thought it was usual in nurseries for no staff to be alone with a child.
Some nurseries are over staffed so that this must be the case.
I speak from personal knowledge.

LemonJam Fri 13-Feb-26 12:44:16

18 years custodial sorry not 10, plus the 8 years on license ( subject to Parole Board/ licence conditions being agreed adding up to 26 year sentence.

25Avalon Fri 13-Feb-26 12:45:07

The change.org petition is called Don’t let Abusers Care for our Children.

It has been put together by parents and even if you don’t sign it , it lists all the safeguarding issues and how they feel it could and should be addressed. Please read and hopefully sign.