A teen nursery worker from Wiltshire who abused two tots has been released from prison – despite concerns raised about the risk she posed in 2025.
Sophie Elms was just 17 when she started launching sex attacks on defenceless children as a trainee at a childcare setting in Royal Wootton Bassett in 2018.
The now 25-year-old faces freedom after serving her entire sentence of seven years and ten months. She had been released on licence twice, but was recalled each time.
Documents obtained by Wiltshire 999s reveal that the Parole Board previously identified numerous factors relevant to the likelihood of Elms reoffending – including a lack of victim empathy, distorted views about sex and difficulties maintaining healthy adult relationships.
On a prior occasion in 2025, her release was refused after a panel concluded that it was not satisfied that freeing her would be safe for the protection of the public.
Now Elms’ sentence – which was imposed by Judge Taylor at Swindon Crown Court – has ended, she must be released from custody. Her sentence end date was Tuesday 25 August.
It marks her third release from prison, having twice previously been returned to custody while attempting to serve the rest of her sentence in the community.
Elms was first recalled in December 2022, before the Parole Board directed her release again in November 2024.
She was returned to prison for a second time in June 2025 after breaching her licence and committing further offences, although details of that offending are unclear.
During its subsequent review, the Parole Board considered evidence about Elms’ progress in custody and while living in the community on licence.
The panel heard from her prison supervisor, community probation officer and psychologist, who all recommended that she should be released.
A proposed release plan included designated accommodation and restrictions on Elms’ contacts, movements and activities.
But despite evidence of progress, the panel was not satisfied the arrangements were robust enough to manage her in the community at that stage.
It also considered Elms unlikely to comply with the proposed measures designed to manage her risk.
The decision stated: “After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and on licence and the evidence presented at the hearing and in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.”
It added: “Given that key areas remained likely to be addressed, the panel considered that Ms Elms was appropriately located in custody where outstanding levels of risk could be addressed.”
The decision also made clear that Elms would ultimately leave prison when her sentence expired, stating: “She is due to be released at the end of her sentence in August 2026.”
Elms was jailed for a total of seven years and ten months after admitting a string of child sex offences.
They included sexual assault of a child by penetration, sexual assault of a child by touching and distributing an indecent image of a child.
She also admitted possessing indecent images of a child and extreme pornographic images involving an animal.
At the time of the offences, Elms was studying childcare and undertaking a placement at a local nursery.
At her sentencing, a parent of the young victims described the damage caused to their family as “unimaginable” and “horrific”.
Det Insp Simon Childe said at the time: “Understandably, this case has shocked the local community as well as those further afield. Elms is just 18-years-old making her one of the youngest women in the country to be convicted of these types of offences, and at the time of committing these atrocious crimes, she was studying child care with a long term aim of working with very young children in the future.
“I am extremely grateful to my team of dedicated officers who have been able to intercept and prevent her from working with children ever again.
“I would like to firstly praise the families of the very young victims in this case who have shown a great deal of strength throughout this court process – they have been provided with specialist support since the investigation began and we will continue to ensure they and their children feel fully supported.
“Secondly, I would like to praise the investigation team in this case who have worked tirelessly and very closely alongside partner agencies in pulling together evidence to put before the courts and ensure Elms could be brought to justice for her disgraceful actions.
“Our officers will leave no stone unturned in investigating crimes of this nature regardless of how much time has passed since the offences were committed – we understand the huge impact these offences can have on a young victim and their families.
“I hope that in this case, the families of the young victims can take some closure from the sentencing and feel supported in moving forward.”
