A former nursery employee in London has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after admitting a wide range of offences involving children and adults, in a case described by the court as deeply serious and involving multiple victims.
Vincent Chan, from Finchley, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court after pleading guilty to 56 charges spanning nearly two decades. The offences included crimes committed while he worked at a school and later at a nursery, where investigators said he abused positions of trust.
Judge John Dodd KC told Chan his actions were “wicked” and represented a grave betrayal of vulnerable individuals, noting that many victims were too young to protect themselves or report what had happened. He stressed that responsibility lay solely with the offender, not with parents or caregivers.
Police launched their investigation after a colleague reported suspicious videos Chan had shown at work. Detectives later seized numerous electronic devices and uncovered a vast quantity of illegal material, leading to additional charges.
Authorities estimate more than 600 pupils attended one of the schools during the period he worked there, and investigators said it may never be possible to identify all affected individuals. While police believe they have recovered the main evidence, they have not ruled out the possibility of additional victims coming forward.
Chan received a 26-year extended sentence, with 18 years to be served in custody and a further eight years on extended licence after release. Other sentences for remaining charges will run concurrently.
Meanwhile, a group of families whose children attended the nursery involved are pursuing legal action against the organisation that operated it. A dedicated support helpline has been set up for anyone affected by the case.