A nursery worker in the United Kingdom has admitted to sexually abusing young children under his care in north London.
Vincent Chan, aged 45, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to 26 offences.
These include sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault by touching, and creating indecent images involving the most serious category of child sexual abuse.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the case was triggered by a whistleblower’s report and rapidly became one of the most “harrowing and complex” investigations carried out by the force.
Chan, who resides on Stanhope Avenue in Finchley, is scheduled to be sentenced on 23 January.
Judge David Aaronberg KC addressed him in court, saying, “Mr Chan, you have pleaded guilty to matters which are going to result in a custodial sentence of many years.”
Chan first drew suspicion when he was caught secretly filming children at Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in West Hampstead, a branch that has since been permanently shut.
During their inquiries, detectives uncovered what they described as “deeply disturbing material” on devices belonging to Chan and on iPads seized from the nursery.
Further evidence revealed that some of the abuse had been recorded at the nursery using those devices.
Det Supt Lewis Basford, who headed the inquiry, said the crimes had caused “deep shock and distress.”
Despite passing advanced checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service, Chan had previously held positions including karate club instructor and school employee.
At the nursery, he worked in multiple roles, art specialist, room leader and nursery nurse, with responsibility for children aged two to four.
Several family members of affected children were present in court for the hearing, many visibly emotional as the charges were read.
After Chan admitted the offences, parents of the victims released a joint statement through their solicitor:
“As parents we are still trying to process the sickening discovery that our children were subjected to despicable abuse… We feel that Bright Horizons has failed us, and we want answers.
“How was someone like Vincent Chan employed? And how were such horrific crimes against children able to continue for so long without the staff responsible for safeguarding at Bright Horizons nursery acting?
“We are concerned that failures in management and supervision at Bright Horizons allowed this abuse to go undetected, and we are committed to securing accountability for our children.”
In response, Bright Horizons issued a statement condemning the actions uncovered, saying, “We are shocked and appalled by this individual’s horrific crimes. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the children and families affected, and we are committed to offering support to them during this incredibly difficult time.”
