Nathan Bennett, a former employee at Partou King Street Nursery in Bristol, is sentenced to 30 years for sexually abusing five boys in his care
Last month, the 30-year-old, from Corston near Bath, was convicted by a jury of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration
He previously admitted 13 other sexual offence charges relating to four of the boys
The prosecution has told the court that Bennett’s crimes involved a “significant degree of planning”
Sentencing judge William Hart told the defendant he is an “incorrigible and dangerous paedophile” and “evil”
Our coverage contains material that some people may find distressing’Bennett is the one who should feel guilty’
Investigating officer Det Con Bethany Cook, from Avon and Somerset Police, said after the sentencing hearing earlier: “Nathan Bennett is a predatory paedophile who groomed children in order to commit vile sexual crimes on very young victims.
“He has manipulated his way into a position of trust which has given him access to victims who are just toddlers.
“In the statements read today, a number of those families expressed feeling a sense of guilt for what had happened to their young children. Bennett, not them, is the person who deserves to feel guilt because it was him that knowingly subjected his victims to such sickening abuse.
“I hope that now that he has been handed a lengthy prison term, the victims and families will finally be able to rebuild their lives.”
Judge’s full sentencing remarks:
Judge William Hart described Nathan Bennett as an “incorrigible and dangerous paedophile” as he sentenced him at Bristol Crown Court.
“Watching, as we did in this trial, the closed circuit television footage of the little children at King Street Nursery running around and playing brings a smile to the face of any decent person and any parent… happy, innocent toddlers in a secure setting,” the judge said.
“But the children we see were not secure.
“They were at risk because unknown to staff and parents you were lurking ready to abuse them and to pollute their innocence with your own vile desires.
“Nathan Bennett, having presided over your trial and having heard and seen the evidence upon which you were convicted, I am unhesitatingly driven to the conclusion that you are an incorrigible and dangerous paedophile with an uncontrollable and ungovernable sexual interest in male toddlers.
“Not only the evidence against you, but your own evidence at trial and your presentation leads me to that conclusion.
“I find it impossible to predict for how long you will remain such a danger.”
The judge added: “The simple fact of the matter though is that you prioritised your own sexual satisfaction over the welfare of these little children and that was due to your grossly distorted thinking and a degree of, to use an old fashioned word, evil.”
Judge Hart also placed Bennett on the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Bennett suspended once CCTV reviewed
published at 13:50 16 March
13:50 16 March
In response to Anna’s complaints, a spokesperson for Partou said lone working falls under its safeguarding and whistleblowing policies, which define staff members’ oversight responsibilities over their colleagues.
They add that it is “not always possible” to ensure that every staff member is within sight of another colleague at all times, due to building layouts.
They confirm that Bennett was permanently suspended on 25 Febuary 2025 after CCTV footage of him putting his hand down a child’s trousers was reviewed.
“Following this, he had no further contact with children,” they say.Abuse continued after parent reported Bennett’s ‘creepy’ behaviour
published at 13:41 16 March
13:41 16 March
We’ve been hearing more from Anna – not her real name – who says she wants the nursery to be held accountable for what happened between 2024 and 2025.
She says she thought Bennett was “a bit weird” and “a bit creepy” because of how close he was to some of the children.
Anna adds that it made her “uncomfortable” and she was “absolutely certain that he had crossed a line”.Anna reported her concerns to the nursery manager at the start of February 2025. She was told that the case would be raised to the regional manager and the Local Authority Designated Officer.
Anna also believes other parents complained about Bennett prior to his suspension and the subsequent criminal investigation.
We now know Bennett went on the abuse boys after Anna’s complaint.
Bennett suspended once CCTV reviewedpublished at 13:50 16 March13:50 16 MarchIn response to Anna’s complaints, a spokesperson for Partou said lone working falls under its safeguarding and whistleblowing policies, which define staff members’ oversight responsibilities over their colleagues.They add that it is “not always possible” to ensure that every staff member is within sight of another colleague at all times, due to building layouts.They confirm that Bennett was permanently suspended on 25 Febuary 2025 after CCTV footage of him putting his hand down a child’s trousers was reviewed.“Following this, he had no further contact with children,” they say.Abuse continued after parent reported Bennett’s ‘creepy’ behaviourpublished at 13:41 16 March13:41 16 MarchWe’ve been hearing more from Anna – not her real name – who says she wants the nursery to be held accountable for what happened between 2024 and 2025.She says she thought Bennett was “a bit weird” and “a bit creepy” because of how close he was to some of the children.Anna adds that it made her “uncomfortable” and she was “absolutely certain that he had crossed a line”.Anna reported her concerns to the nursery manager at the start of February 2025. She was told that the case would be raised to the regional manager and the Local Authority Designated Officer.Anna also believes other parents complained about Bennett prior to his suspension and the subsequent criminal investigation.We now know Bennett went on the abuse boys after Anna’s complaint.