JENNA PATERSON'S SHOCKING CRIME IN BURGHEAD AND FIFE: BABY BRUISED IN CARE CENTRE SCANDAL

Jenna Paterson, a nursery worker originally from Burghead, has recently become the subject of serious criminal and professional misconduct allegations that have led to her being struck off from her professional register. The incident, which took place while she was employed at a childcare centre near RAF Lossiemouth, has sent shockwaves through the local community in Fife and surrounding areas.

Paterson, aged 22 at the time, was involved in an appalling act of violence against a nine-month-old infant. The young child sustained severe bruising during a diaper change, injuries so serious that the baby had to be transported to Aberdeen’s Royal Children’s Hospital for urgent medical assessment. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 12, last year, when the child’s parents, who knew Paterson through the nursery, entrusted her with babysitting at their home while they attended a social gathering.

According to reports, the parents noticed the bruising the following morning. Initially, Paterson denied any knowledge of the injuries when questioned by the parents. Concerned, they took the infant to Dr. Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, where doctors expressed significant concern and advised further examination at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. The injuries prompted a police investigation, which concluded that Paterson was responsible for causing the harm.

In court proceedings held in Elgin in June, Paterson admitted to assaulting the baby by applying pressure and grabbing its arms, back, and right leg. She acknowledged that her actions were aggressive, explaining that the bruising on the child's leg resulted from the infant wriggling during a diaper change. Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov sentenced her to 135 hours of unpaid community service, recognizing her remorse but emphasizing the gravity of her misconduct.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the regulatory body overseeing social care professionals, condemned Paterson’s actions as a serious breach of trust and a violent, abusive act. They described her loss of self-control during the incident as a critical factor, highlighting that her behaviour demonstrated a gross disregard for the safety and well-being of the child. The SSSC emphasized that such conduct was unacceptable and warranted her removal from the professional register, which they carried out despite her expressing remorse.

The SSSC’s report clarified that the incident was an isolated event that occurred outside her workplace, but nonetheless, her misconduct was deemed so severe that only removal from the register was appropriate. They stated that her behaviour fell far below the standards expected of social care workers and posed a high risk of recurrence. Although she was given a warning, the authority made it clear that she could apply for reinstatement after three years, subject to a complex review process that might include a panel hearing.

Following her professional disqualification, Paterson is now employed at a discount retail store in Elgin town centre. Attempts to contact her for comment have been unsuccessful. This case has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and the importance of trust in caregiving roles, especially involving vulnerable infants and young children in the Fife and Burghead areas.