Rebecca Gregory admitted neglecting four children in her care at the nursery on 26 April 2022. Gregory was arrested last November after Police observed Gregory’s ‘abusive’ treatment of four children in the baby room when viewing CCTV footage within the nursery for their investigation into the death of Genevieve Meehan.
Gregory’s case is not related to the death of Genevieve Meehan for which another nursery worker, Kate Roughley, was found guilty of and sentenced to 14 years in prison in May.
Yesterday (Monday 2 September) 25-year-old Gregory appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court where a judge heard how the nursery practitioner had swaddled four children, placing one face down while he had a dummy in his mouth and ‘threatening to kick’ another.
CCTV footage was played to the court which showed Gregory becoming ‘annoyed and angry’ at a child that would not settle. She then ‘threatened to knock the child out’ before forcing her head back down on the mat, the court heard.
The court previously heard that Gregory was seen to 'slam’ another child ‘hard down onto the floor' causing an 'audible thud'.
The third victim was told by Gregory to ‘shut up’ before his head hit the floor as he was laid down to be swaddled, prosecutor Mr Challinor told the court.
Later on in the day, she was heard saying to the child, ‘What is the point in your existence?’ as the child lay crying.
The court heard how with the fourth baby, Gregory had ‘roughly picked him up off the floor, swinging his body’, before she ‘rammed’ him into a highchair, causing him to cry.
She wrapped him in a blanket, placing a dummy in his mouth and was heard saying, ‘Put that in your gob and shut up.’
The court was told Gregory then placed him face down on a mat and covered his face with a blanket. When he tried to lift his head, she 'forced' it back down before 'leaning on the child with her thigh'.
Defending, Ms Milena Bennett, said that Gregory's behaviour was 'out of character'. She claimed Gregory had complained about staffing levels, but had been ‘knocked back’. Her disappointment was then directed at the children’.
Bennett said of the incidents, ‘It was out of character. She became in such a temper; watching the video herself, she said she could not believe it was her. She could not recognise herself.’
Noting that the offences were all recorded on the same day, she added, ‘There is nothing to show this was a pattern of behaviour by Miss Gregory. She is extremely remorseful.’
Sentencing, Judge Tina Landale said, ‘By the time of your offences you had seven years of experience. You were trusted by the parents who left their precious children in your care, to look after babies safely and kindly.
‘The offences against these four babies were committed in the baby room where you had worked for two years Rather than treat them kindly and safely, you were abusive and neglectful, exposing them to the risk of serious harm.
‘It is clear that you did not care for these babies. You displayed a persistent course of conduct when you did not think you were being observed. These babies were particularly vulnerable because they could not communicate their distress.’
Gregory was jailed for three years. She must serve at least half behind bars and the remainder on licence. She has been banned from working with children or vulnerable people.
Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport is now being run by a different operator.
