Nursery Worker Sentenced to 18 Years for Filming Child Abuse on iPad
Vincent Chan, a 45-year-old nursery worker, has been jailed for 18 years after pleading guilty to 56 separate offences involving the sexual abuse of children and voyeurism against women and girls. The sentencing took place at Wood Green Crown Court, where parents of his victims watched as he was described by prosecutor Philip Stott as 'every parent's worst nightmare'.
Details of the Offences
Chan worked at Bright Horizons nursery in West Hampstead, London, for nearly seven years, where he filmed himself abusing toddlers using the nursery's iPad during naptime. He organized these horrific clips into folders labeled with the children's names and transferred them to his home computer. Additionally, during his previous role at a north London primary school, starting in 2007, he filmed upskirt footage of schoolgirls, secretly recorded women undressing and using toilets, and manipulated images from social media to create obscene content.
Investigation and Arrest
The predator was first arrested in June last year after a nursery staff member raised concerns about his disturbing behavior. He had been suspended from the nursery in May 2025, and police launched an investigation into neglect allegations. A search of his Finchley home uncovered a cache of 25,000 indecent images depicting severe abuse. Chan pleaded guilty to two sets of offences: 26 charges in December, including sexual assault by penetration and making indecent images of children, and 30 new charges in January, such as voyeurism and taking indecent photographs.
Impact on Victims and Families
Families of the abused children are receiving specialist support, with some represented by solicitors Leigh Day, who expressed shock and a demand for answers from Bright Horizons regarding safeguarding failures. A mother of one victim stated that her child was harmed at a time when she should have been safest, highlighting the profound trauma. Judge John Dodd KC emphasized the breach of trust, noting that Chan's offending escalated significantly after he moved to the nursery in 2017.
Response from Bright Horizons
A spokesperson for Bright Horizons expressed shock and appallment at Chan's crimes, offering support to affected families and confirming that extensive safeguarding procedures, including rigorous vetting, were in place. However, the company has commissioned a review of its procedures and faces legal action from 50 families. The case underscores ongoing concerns about violence against women and children, with campaigns like Metro's 'This Is Not Right' aiming to address such issues.
