Nathan Bennett, a 30-year-old nursery worker from Corston, Bath, is facing a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against very young children in his care. The guilty verdicts were delivered following a trial at Bristol Crown Court, where the horrific details of his crimes were laid bare.
Charges and Convictions
The jury found Bennett guilty of eight serious charges relating to five children, all aged just two or three years old, at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol. These convictions include two counts of raping a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13.
Prior to the trial, Bennett had already admitted to 13 additional charges concerning four of the same five victims. These admissions comprised eight charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, four charges of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Discovery and Investigation
The disturbing case came to light in February last year when parents and staff members raised concerns about Bennett's inappropriate behaviour towards the children. On February 26, nursery manager Victoria Tutton, known as Vera, reviewed CCTV footage that captured Bennett putting his hands down the trousers of a child. She immediately sent him home and contacted authorities.
Avon and Somerset Police launched a comprehensive investigation that led to Bennett's arrest and ultimately resulted in the permanent closure of the nursery. Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford described the investigation as "deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned," particularly given the extreme youth of the victims.
Courtroom Testimony and Evidence
During the trial, prosecuting barrister Virginia Cornwall presented what she called "every parent's nightmare" scenario to the jury. The court heard how Bennett had begun working at the nursery in July 2024 and had told colleagues he was autistic, though no formal diagnosis was ever confirmed.
Staff members testified about concerning behaviours they had observed. Bennett was noted to sit children on his lap for extended periods, wear trousers with holes in the crotch area, and display what was described as a "territorial" attitude toward certain toddlers and their parents.
Nursery practitioner Elizabeth Burton told the court that Bennett had developed a "jealous attachment" to five specific children and would consistently "take control of them" during nursery sessions.
Victim Testimony and Impact
The jury viewed video interviews with two of the young victims, referred to only as Child A and Child E. In particularly heartbreaking testimony, Child E's mother described how her son had demonstrated the abuse he suffered at the nursery.
"I got him to stop doing it. I asked him when did that happen. He said it happened at nursery," she told the court, her voice breaking with emotion.
When giving evidence in his own defence, Bennett claimed he was "emulating" what had been done to him as a child and denied having any sexual attraction to children. The jury rejected this explanation, finding him guilty on all counts.
Families Demand Answers
In a powerful statement issued through law firm Leigh Day, which represents several of the affected families, the parents expressed their devastation and demanded accountability.
"We are devastated by the horrific abuse children have suffered at the hands of someone whom we all trusted to care for them," the statement read. "Nothing can begin to explain the shock, anger and heartbreak we feel - or the profound and lasting impact we are sure this will have on families."
The families emphasized that "the children were innocent and completely vulnerable; they were in a place that should have been safe." They are now demanding answers about how Bennett was able to work with young children, what background checks were conducted, and why the safeguarding systems at Partou King Street nursery failed so catastrophically.
Legal Response and Wider Implications
Andrew Lord, a partner at Leigh Day who represents a broader group of families affected by Bennett's abuse, described the case as "utterly shocking."
"The seriousness of these offences against very young, defenceless children cannot be overstated," Lord stated. "As lawyers specialising in abuse claims, we have significant experience supporting families through the aftermath of child sexual abuse. Even so, the concerns raised by the families in this matter about Partou's safeguarding practices are profound."
Lord added that the families "feel that the systems that should have been in place to protect their children simply did not work," highlighting the need for a thorough review of safeguarding protocols across childcare facilities.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Bristol community and raised urgent questions about childcare safeguarding standards nationwide. As the legal process continues toward sentencing, authorities are expected to conduct a comprehensive review of how such horrific abuse could occur in a supposedly secure environment.
