Danuska Pullia, 47, was convicted by a unanimous jury at Maidstone Crown Court in November 2025 on all four counts of child cruelty. The abuse took place between September 2021 and July 2023 and included hitting, pinching, spitting in the face, hooking fingers in a child's mouth, and bending thumbs to exert control. According to reports, colleagues witnessed Pullia hitting, pinching, and spitting in the face of pupils.
One colleague reported seeing Pullia pinch a pupil's nose to remove chocolate from his mouth, according to sources. The abuse was inflicted on four profoundly disabled pupils who were unable to speak out for themselves. Pullia's actions were described as a gross betrayal of the trust placed in her as a teaching assistant at the school.
The physical mistreatment occurred repeatedly over the nearly two-year period, leaving the children with short-term bruising but no lasting physical injuries. The emotional and psychological damage, however, was severe and long-lasting. The children suffered developmental setbacks as a direct result of the abuse.
Their families were devastated upon learning the full extent of what had happened. uk. Another parent said their child had a 'complete breakdown' as a result of the abuse.
A third parent said the impact had been 'unimaginable'. The families cried when the verdicts were announced, overwhelmed by the confirmation of Pullia's guilt. In a voluntary interview in July 2023, Pullia denied most allegations or claimed they did not happen as reported.
According to Metro - Main, Pullia admitted to spitting at a pupil after the pupil spat at her twice, but could not explain the third time. She also claimed she spat 'not really in her face'. Pullia admitted she had no training to carry out these acts.
The judge described Pullia's offences as 'wicked' and noted that Pullia tried to cover up her actions by shifting blame onto others, including children. Detective Constable Hollie Kent stated that Pullia was entrusted with the care of vulnerable children and utterly failed in that responsibility. She added that Pullia's actions have had a lasting impact on her victims, many of whom could not speak out for themselves.
The judge stated that immediate imprisonment was justified and unavoidable despite Pullia's lack of previous convictions. uk, the families felt 'shocked but over the moon' that Pullia was jailed. They also said Pullia mocked the justice system by claiming to be unwell, delaying proceedings, and appearing in a wheelchair to evoke sympathy.
The sentencing brought a sense of closure to the families, who had endured a lengthy legal process. Pullia's attempts to evade responsibility were seen as a further insult to the victims and their loved ones. The case has highlighted the vulnerability of disabled children in care settings and the need for rigorous safeguarding measures.
The conviction and sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of betraying the trust placed in caregivers of the most vulnerable members of society.