A ‘dangerous paedophile’ who sexually abused five children in his care at a nursery in Bristol has been jailed for 24 years. Nathan Bennett, 30, an early years practitioner, won the trust of two- and three-year-old boys at the Partou King Street nursery by showering them with affection before abusing them, sometimes in front of other children.
Judge Hart described Bennett as ‘evil’ and said he had thought seriously about imposing a life sentence because it was difficult to assess whether he would ever not be a risk to children. The judge told Bennett: ‘You were lurking, ready to abuse them and pollute their innocence with your vile desires. You are an incorrigible and dangerous paedophile.’
Bennett, of Corston, near Bath, was found guilty by a jury of eight offences including rape. He had pleaded guilty to 13 other charges in relation to four of the boys. The judge imposed an extended determinate sentence of 30 years, comprising 24 years custody and six years extended licence.
The mother of one of the children told Bristol Crown Court: ‘The guilt and anger has been overwhelming. We sent him to this nursery we thought was a safe place. We hadn’t protected him.’ A father said he ‘felt dead inside’ when he heard his son had been abused.
Bennett was finally stopped in February 2025 when a nursery manager saw him on CCTV putting his hand down the trousers of a child. In a statement, 12 families whose children attended the nursery said concerns had been raised about Bennett’s behaviour months before his arrest, but were not properly followed up.
A Partou spokesperson said the nursery group had increased safeguarding training, strengthened policies, and expanded the use of CCTV across its estate.
