Paedophile Nursery Worker Jailed for 24 Years After Sexually Abusing Young Children
Nursery worker Nathan Bennett, aged 30, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the horrific sexual abuse of young children under his care. The sentencing took place at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, 16 March 2026, where Bennett faced multiple charges related to his predatory actions at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol.
Details of the Abuse and Investigation
Bennett was found guilty by a jury last month on eight charges, including rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration, involving five children. Additionally, he previously admitted to 13 other charges concerning four of the victims, all of whom were just two years old at the time of the offences. The court heard that concerns about Bennett's behaviour were initially raised by parents and staff in February last year, prompting a police investigation.
This investigation was launched after staff members captured Bennett on CCTV putting his hands down the trousers of a child, leading directly to his arrest and the subsequent closure of the nursery. Witnesses described Bennett as sitting children on his lap for extended periods, wearing trousers with holes in the crotch area, and acting "territorial" over specific toddlers and their parents.
Court Proceedings and Victim Impact
During the trial, video interviews with two of the children, referred to as Child A and Child E, were presented to the jury. In a poignant moment, Child E's mother testified, explaining how her son demonstrated the abuse he suffered at the nursery. She stated, "I got him to stop doing it. I asked him when did that happen. He said it happened at nursery." This evidence highlighted the profound impact on the young victims and their families.
In his defence, Bennett claimed he was "emulating" what had been done to him as a child and denied having any sexual attraction to children. However, the jury found him guilty based on the overwhelming evidence, leading to the 24-year prison sentence with an extended licence period of six years.
This case underscores the critical importance of vigilance in childcare settings and the swift action taken by authorities to protect vulnerable children. As this is a developing story, further updates may follow.
