Vincent Chan: Nursery worker sentenced for sexual offences against children
Vincent Chan pleaded guilty to 56 charges relating to sexual assault offences against children in his care.
Last updated 14 hours ago
A 45 year old nursery worker who admitted to sexually abusing children at his north London workplace has been sentenced to 18 years
Vincent Chan, from Finchley was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court following what the Metropolitan Police called the most harrowing and complex child sexual abuse investigations.
The offences include taking indecent images of children and sexual assault of a child by touching.
Chan's offending was discovered after a member of staff at the nursery where he worked reported that Chan had been taking images of children in his care on a nursery issued iPad.
25 devices were seized from his home and three from the nursery, where 'substantial' amounts of indecent images and videos of children were found. More devices were seized, with 69 analysed by the Met Police.
Reacting after Chan's guilty pleas, Leigh Day, representing some of the families who attended the nursery at the time of the offending, issued a statement saying: "As parents we are still trying to process the sickening discovery that our children were subjected to despicable abuse by Vincent Chan at the nursery.
“In admitting the charges, we are spared the prospect of hearing Vincent Chan's crimes at the nursery described in graphic detail in a trial. We trust the judge to pass the strongest sentence to fit the crimes Vincent Chan has committed against young children, innocent victims who could not fight back.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, Met Police Senior Investigating Officer, said:
“Chan’s crimes are horrific, but we will not let his name overshadow today.
“Our foremost responsibility throughout has been to the victims – carrying out a meticulous investigation that established the extent of the offending and ensured Chan was held to account.
“I want to thank every victim and family who engaged with us during this traumatic process. Their trust enabled us to secure further charges and today’s significant sentence.
“I am also grateful to the community, our investigation team and the CPS for the valuable roles they played.
“To all those affected – our commitment to you does not end today. We remain by your side, and we will continue to ensure you receive the long-term support you need.”
In a victim impact statement, a representative of the families whose children attended the nursery where Chan committed many of his offences, said:
“The impact of Vincent Chan’s actions upon our entire community has been profound. The knowledge that he was not only capable of such acts but committed them against children within the nursery has created a permanent ache in our hearts.
“The lasting trauma of ‘what if’ is powerfully felt throughout our community because of Vincent Chan’s actions. It offers no closure, no reassurance, no healing and no point at which anxiety can safely end or be meaningfully processed.
“The fear we feel about the cruel violation of our children will never dissipate. Ordinary memories from early childhood are now tainted with doubt, anxiety and guilt.”
Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, NSPCC Assistant Director for London and the South East, said:
“With the right support, children who have been abused – and adults who were abused in childhood – can and do recover.
“Our specialists on the dedicated helpline are here to ensure every child, family and individual affected by Chan’s crimes receives the support they need.”