‘Utterly Wicked’: Nursery Abuser Vincent Chan Jailed for 18 Years

A former nursery worker described by a judge as “utterly wicked” has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after a years‑long campaign of sexual abuse against young children under his care. Vincent Chan, 45, carried out a pattern of predatory offending across multiple childcare settings, leaving families devastated and prompting renewed scrutiny of safeguarding failures in early‑years education.

A Pattern of Abuse Spanning More Than a Decade

Chan’s crimes stretch back nearly two decades, beginning during his employment at a primary school in Finchley, north London, where he covertly filmed up the skirts of schoolgirls and spied on women and girls in private settings. His offending escalated dramatically after he joined the Bright Horizons nursery in West Hampstead in 2017, where he molested girls as young as two and four during naptime.

Investigators later uncovered a cache of at least 25,000 indecent images and videos, many filmed on nursery‑issued iPads intended for parent updates. Instead, Chan used them to record children in distress, crying, or asleep—footage he manipulated and stored in folders labelled with victims’ names.

Warnings Ignored and Safeguarding Failures

Families have expressed anger that concerns raised years earlier were repeatedly dismissed. Several parents reported unexplained injuries, behavioural changes, and fear expressed by their children, only to be told that Chan was a “good teacher” or simply had a “loud voice.” These warnings, they say, were “managed rather than listened to,” allowing Chan to continue offending unchecked.

At least 50 families are now pursuing legal action against Bright Horizons, alleging neglect and breach of contract. They argue that safeguarding systems failed catastrophically, enabling a prolific offender to remain in a position of trust.

Courtroom Reaction and Sentencing

Chan appeared at Wood Green Crown Court wearing a grey prison‑issue tracksuit, flanked by guards as parents of his victims watched from the public gallery. Judge John Dodd KC condemned Chan’s “perverse and depraved” behaviour, stating that his breach of trust “could hardly be greater.”

Prosecutor Philip Stott described Chan as “every parent’s worst nightmare,” detailing how he exploited his role to commit increasingly serious offences. The court heard that Chan’s actions have left families grappling with lasting trauma, shattered trust, and profound emotional harm.

Community Impact and Ongoing Support

In a collective victim impact statement, families said the abuse had created a “permanent ache” in their community, with no closure or reassurance possible. Police emphasised that the investigation—spanning thousands of hours—was centred on supporting victims and uncovering the full extent of Chan’s crimes.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford called Chan a “dangerous and predatory individual” who deliberately sought positions granting access to young girls. Authorities have applied for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to ensure strict monitoring upon his eventual release.

Government Response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government is considering mandatory CCTV in nurseries following this and other recent cases of abuse in childcare settings. He described the incidents as “harrowing,” stressing that child safety must remain paramount.

A Community Seeking Answers

As legal proceedings continue and families pursue accountability, the case of Vincent Chan stands as one of the most disturbing childcare abuse scandals in recent UK history. For many parents, the sentencing marks only the beginning of a long process of healing—and a renewed call for systemic reform to ensure no child is ever placed in such danger again.