Mansfield nursery worker smeared leftovers in toddler's face

Helen Walker, 49, of Mansfield, was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday

A nursery worker has been jailed after smearing leftovers in a toddler's face while he was in her care.

Helen Walker was captured on CCTV scooping up leftover food waste and pushing it into the boy's face before ignoring his cries.

Nottinghamshire Police said the 49-year-old, of Watson Avenue, Mansfield, then tried to cover up her actions.

At Nottingham Crown Court she admitted assault, ill-treatment or neglect of a child and was jailed for five months.

The nursery, in Mansfield, informed police of Walker's actions on 24 February 2023 and officers then uncovered footage of the incident.

'Appalling actions'

The force said the recording showed Walker "deliberately sought out the child, who has additional needs".

In an attempt to conceal the offence, police said she was then seen approaching another child and suggesting the young victim had taken the food from them.

"Nursery staff are placed in the ultimate position of trust to care for young children," investigator Jacqui Edwards said.

"Walker betrayed that trust with these appalling actions, which are further aggravated by the fact our young victim has additional needs.

"She then tried to portray the child as a troublemaker in an attempt to conceal what she had done."

She added that the force would continue to support the child's parents.