NURSERY WORKER FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST MULTIPLE TODDLERS
Update 16/03/2026: Nathan Bennett, 30, who sexually abused five children in his care at a nursery in Bristol has been jailed for 24 years................................................................................................................................................................................................................
In Bristol, a nursery worker has been convicted on multiple counts of rape and sexual assault involving five children, with the case termed as 'every parent’s worst nightmare'.
Nathan Bennett, aged 30 and a resident of Corston near Bath, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of two charges of raping a child under 13, four charges of sexual assault against a child under 13, and two counts of assault by penetration on a child under 13.
Bennett commenced work at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol in July 2024.
Concerns emerged in February 2025 after nursery manager Victoria Tutton reviewed CCTV footage that captured Bennett placing his hands down a child's trousers.
Following this discovery, Bennett was sent home immediately.
This incident triggered an investigation by Avon and Somerset Police, resulting in Bennett’s arrest and the shutting down of the nursery located in central Bristol.
For four days, the jury listened to witnesses describing Bennett’s behaviour, including sitting children on his lap for long durations, wearing trousers with holes in the crotch, and showing signs of possessiveness or "territorial" behaviour towards specific toddlers and their parents.
One nursery staff member reported that Bennett showed a "jealous attachment" to five children and would attempt to "control" them.
Outside court, Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford from Avon and Somerset Police commented, "Nathan Bennett was trusted to care for children but committed sexual offences against the very young children at his place of work.
"An investigation involving such young children was deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned." The court proceedings involved the playing of video interviews with two children, identified as Child A and Child E, along with testimony from Child E’s mother.
She described how her son revealed the abuse at the nursery, and recognised Bennett as the perpetrator because he admired Bennett’s smartwatch.
Bennett had previously admitted to 13 other charges connected to four of the five victims, all of whom were toddlers.
He acknowledged that he engaged in sexual contact but asserted he was not sexually attracted to the children, claiming he acted to replicate his own childhood trauma.
Prosecutor Virginia Cornwall labelled the case as "every parent’s nightmare", pointing out Bennett’s partial pleas of guilty to numerous charges, including sexual assault and causing children to participate in sexual acts.
An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Bennett abused his position of trust at the nursery in the most shocking and appalling way imaginable.
Child sexual abuse can have lifelong impact on children and their loved ones, and our thoughts are with all the families caught up in this horrific case.
It is vital they receive the support they need to process what they have experienced and move forwards with their lives."
