Vincent Chan, a 45-year-old nursery worker, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for sexually abusing young children in his care at the Bright Horizons nursery in West Hampstead, north-west London.
According to the BBC, Judge John Dodd KC described Chan as "utterly wicked" and "perverse and depraved" during the sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court. Chan admitted 56 charges, including sexual assault by penetration, possession of indecent images, and voyeurism.
Chan's offences spanned from 2008 to 2024, and his victims ranged in age from two to a woman in her 70s. He was first reported to the police by the nursery in May 2024 over concerns that he had been filming children in his care.
Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police discovered that Chan had taken upskirt videos of girls in class when he worked as a teaching assistant at a primary school in Finchley, north London. He also confessed to spying on girls and women as they got undressed in their bedrooms and used the toilet.
Chan's victims said they had been left devastated and were coping with lasting trauma after being told about the abuse. Families said his offending at the nursery and school had shattered their trust.
Response from Authorities
Bright Horizons said in a statement: "This is a distressing time for families and all those impacted by Vincent Chan's horrific crimes and our thoughts are first and foremost with them." Camden Council is participating in an independent local child safeguarding practice review into the abuse.
A dedicated NSPCC helpline has been set up for anyone affected by the abuse. The helpline operates between 08:00 and 20:00 GMT, Monday to Friday, and 09:00 to 18:00 at weekends.
