Childcare worker Elise Williams, Deebing Heights, pleads guilty to three assault charges at Ipswich Magistrates Court

An Ipswich court has heard a woman who dreamt of working in childcare assaulted three children while ‘under significant pressure’ at work.

A childcare worker sacked after she apparently assaulted three vulnerable children in an Ipswich childcare centre, has suffered emotional stress and expressed ongoing remorse for her actions.

A childcare worker sacked after she apparently assaulted three vulnerable children in an Ipswich childcare centre, has suffered emotional stress and expressed ongoing remorse for her actions.

An Ipswich court heard the young woman had dreamt of being a childcare worker but offended while under significant pressure at work, having sought staff assistance that did not eventuate.

What she actually did that day remains a mystery, with police prosecution staying silent in the open court, choosing not to read onto the public record the circumstances surrounding the case.

However, a magistrate called the assaults “frightening” for the children, after reading the facts.

Deebing Heights woman, Elise Taylor Williams, 26, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court to three charges of committing assaults at Raceview on November 1, 2019.

Prosecutor Sergeant Nicholas Turnbull said Williams had no criminal history but the offences were ones of violence.

“A gross breach of trust against vulnerable children. She has since left the childcare industry so strong personal deterrence is not so (necessary),” he said.

“The steps (she has) taken for her own rehabilitation is encouraging reading.”

Sgt Turnbull said police sought a supervised probation order of no less than 12-months and that no conviction be recorded.

Defence barrister Stephen Kissick said that, immediately after offending, a very remorseful Williams sought professional help.

References before the court spoke very well of her.

“There is no history and the court can be well satisfied that she is unlikely to return in the future. It was totally out of character,” Mr Kissick said.

“She has always desired to work in childcare and began a traineeship in November 2012.

“Her offending was not borne out of any malice. It was borne out of frustration.

“There was no injury. It was reactive. She took immediate responsibilities.

“She had spoken about difficulties in that care room and she was told there was a right (staff to child) ratio in the rule book.”

Mr Kissick said Williams lost her Blue work card and the job that she loves, had learnt from her mistake, and felt considerable remorse.

He sought a good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded.

Magistrate Leanne Scoines said it appeared to be an early guilty plea after case conferencing between the parties.

Ms Scoines said the three assault charges were serious and compounded in that they occurred in a workplace, and involved vulnerable children.

“They had special needs. Three little people, one aged four, and two three-year-olds,” she said.

“Your actions that day occurred just over 40 minutes.

“You handled these children very roughly. It would be very frightening to these children and distressing.

“They would have experienced physical discomfort and fear, by you a primary caregiver.

“It is also a breach of trust of the parents who thought they were being looked after.

“To your credit you sought assistance soon after. You had been putting your hand up for some time that you thought the ratio of their care needs were higher and that more staff be put on.

“You wanted more assistance. Sadly not resulted that day.”

Ms Scoines said Williams had been employed at the centre for seven years after starting as a trainee, and was regarded as reliable, hardworking and of good character.

Ms Scoines said such offending was viewed as being abhorrently unacceptable and must be condemned.

Taking all matters into account, Williams received an $800 good behaviour bond for 12 months.

A conviction was not recorded.