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A nursery worker from north-west London has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after admitting to numerous offences involving the sexual abuse of children under his care. Vincent Chan, aged 45, pleaded guilty to a total of 56 charges, which included sexual assault by penetration, possession of indecent images, and voyeurism.
During the hearing at Wood Green Crown Court, Judge John Dodd KC described Chan as a “perverse and depraved” individual who had lost all moral direction. The judge emphasized the severity and breadth of Chan’s crimes, which occurred over a period stretching from 2008 to 2024 and involved victims aged as young as two years old up to a woman in her seventies. The abuse took place predominantly at the Bright Horizons nursery in Finchley Road, West Hampstead, where Chan worked between 2007 and 2017. Notably, Chan had recorded himself abusing young children during this time.
Aside from the abuse sustained by children at the nursery, Chan was also found guilty of spying on women and girls in private settings, such as when they were undressing or using the bathroom. One victim was sexually assaulted while asleep. Investigators uncovered an extensive collection of at least 26,000 indecent images, including videos depicting children being raped. The judge highlighted the “deep-seated sexual obsession” demonstrated by Chan’s possession of such material, condemning his betrayals of trust as “the most despicable of ways.”
Chan’s illicit activities escalated after leaving a previous teaching assistant position at a primary school in Finchley in 2017, where he had also secretly filmed upskirt videos of girls in class. The offences covered a wide spectrum, including multiple counts of sexual assault by penetration and touching, production and possession of indecent images, outraging public decency, and voyeurism. Impact statements from victims revealed the long-lasting trauma endured, with families expressing that his actions shattered their trust. One woman described feeling “violated and humiliated,” while another called Chan “a person who shows a total disregard for human dignity.” Some victims’ relatives were present at the sentencing and were visibly emotional.
In response to the case, several families have initiated legal proceedings against Bright Horizons, accusing the nursery of safeguarding failures that enabled Chan to commit his crimes. Their legal representatives argued that Chan was not acting alone and that systemic lapses created an environment in which he could operate undetected for years. Bright Horizons issued a statement expressing sympathy for those affected and emphasized their commitment to child safety, acknowledging that Chan’s conduct was a profound betrayal of trust.
Local authorities are undertaking reviews and audits to examine safeguarding practices. Camden Council is cooperating with an independent child safeguarding practice review concerning the abuse, while Barnet Council, where Chan’s former school is located, is reviewing safeguarding standards among early years providers, including the use of CCTV. Additionally, the NSPCC has established a helpline for those impacted, operating daily to provide support and assistance
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