Teen nursery worker sentenced for child rape and abuse

Thomas Waller was branded "a very dangerous individual"

Warning: This story contains distressing details

A teenage nursery worker who raped and sexually abused children as young as three has been sentenced to 10 years in a young offender institution.

Thomas Waller, now 18, was found guilty of multiple offences, including rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, earlier this year.

Waller, who committed the offences in Surrey in 2024, was arrested after a mother was told by her son that he had been abused in a toilet while at nursery.

At Guildford Crown Court, he was also sentenced to an additional five years on licence.

Within days of being able to look after children, Waller took advantage of his position to gain the trust of two boys in his care before exploiting them, the court heard.

The teenager was working at a nursery for the summer months, where his responsibilities included taking children to the toilet and helping them get changed, the court was told.

In a victim impact statement, one of the boys' fathers said his son had "gathered a collection of memories that I would never wish on a human being".

"Three things have kept us going; justice for our little boy; to protect other children from this dangerous, calculating predator; and to ensure that lessons are learnt for nurseries in Surrey and beyond that mean it is harder for paedophiles to abuse children," it added.

Speaking about his son's new school, he added: "We should be telling them that he doesn't like carrots, not that he has been raped."

Sentencing him, Judge Claire Harden-Frost said it was "heartbreaking" to see the boys' parents feeling responsible for what happened.

The nursery, which cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "We were, and remain, deeply shocked, saddened and sorry to learn of the actions of a former member of our staff.

"As soon as concerns were raised, we took immediate action, contacting the police without delay, suspending the individual concerned, and fully cooperating with the investigation."

It said a full review had been carried out and its safeguarding policies and staff training had been strengthened.

Jonathan Hulley, Surrey County Council cabinet member for children, family and lifelong learning, said he was "appalled" by the crimes committed by Waller.

"The wellbeing and safeguarding of children and young people is our absolute priority," he added.

Waller was found guilty of rape, two counts of causing or inciting sexual activity and taking indecent photos after a trial at Staines Youth Court earlier this year.

The offending happened at a nursery in Surrey between July and August 2024.