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| Version 34 | Version 35 |
|---|---|
| Nursery worker cleared of cruelty | Nursery worker cleared of cruelty |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A nursery manager has been cleared of shaking, dropping and force-feeding babies in her care. | A nursery manager has been cleared of shaking, dropping and force-feeding babies in her care. |
| Laura Pettitt, 27, was accused of child cruelty against 10 babies at the Little Stars nursery in Bromley, south London, between 2006 and 2008. | Laura Pettitt, 27, was accused of child cruelty against 10 babies at the Little Stars nursery in Bromley, south London, between 2006 and 2008. |
| She said the "malicious" allegations were invented by other staff after they found out she was a lesbian. | She said the "malicious" allegations were invented by other staff after they found out she was a lesbian. |
| After a jury at Croydon Crown Court cleared her of all charges, Ms Pettitt said the allegations were "ridiculous". | |
| She said: "It was concocted by these two girls. | |
| "I just want to get on with my life - it's been on hold for two years. | |
| "Justice has been served." | |
| 'Sinister interpretation' | |
| After working at Little Stars for seven years, Ms Pettitt became manager of the baby room. She stopped working for the nursery after co-workers made allegations of child cruelty. | |
| Simon Taylor, defending, said Ms Pettitt had fallen victim to "bitchiness" of "epic proportions". | |
| He argued the prosecution witnesses had made a "sinister interpretation" of normal events such as babies being sick. | |
| Mr Taylor said: "She is not a monster. She is just the victim of a whispering campaign of lies and exaggeration." |