‘Every guardian’s nightmare’ as CCTV catches paedo nursery employee in sick act

Nathan Bennett, 30, was found guilty of charges including rape and sexual assault relating to five children aged two or three at a nursery in Bristol where he was meant to be caring for them

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A nursery worker is facing jail after being convicted of numerous sexual offences against children under his care. Nathan Bennett, 30, was found guilty of eight charges including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, involving five children aged two or three at Partou King Street nursery in Bristol.

He had previously admitted 13 other charges related to four of the five victims, who were two years old at the time. At the start of the trial, prosecutor Virginia Cornwall informed jurors that concerns about Bennett’s behaviour towards the children in his care were raised by parents and staff in February last year.

Nursery manager Victoria Tutton, known as Vera, viewed CCTV footage which showed Bennett placing his hands down a child’s trousers and promptly sent him home. Avon and Somerset Police initiated an investigation, leading to Bennett’s arrest and the subsequent closure of the nursery.

Ms Cornwall referred to the case as “every parent’s nightmare”. Bennett started working at the nursery in July 2024 and informed staff he was autistic, although it was revealed to jurors that he has never been formally diagnosed with the condition.

Staff observed him seating children on his lap for extended periods, wearing trousers with holes in the crotch area, and appearing “territorial” over certain toddlers and their parents, the court heard.

Nursery worker Elizabeth Burton revealed to the court that Bennett displayed a “jealous attachment” towards five children and would “take control of them”.

Throughout the proceedings, the jury was shown video interviews with two of the victims in the case – identified only as Child A and Child E.

Child E’s mother also provided testimony, describing how her son had demonstrated the abuse he suffered at his nursery.

“I got him to stop doing it. I asked him when did that happen. He said it happened at nursery,” she said.

Taking the stand, Bennett claimed he was “emulating” what was done to him as a child and denied having a sexual attraction to children.

The defendant, from Corston, Bath, was convicted by the jury of:.

– Two charges of raping a child under 13.

– Four charges of the sexual assault of a child under 13.

– Two charges of assault of a child under 13 by penetration.

He had previously admitted guilt to 13 additional charges. They were:.

– Eight charges of sexual assault of a child under 13.

– Four charges of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

– One charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Relatives of the youngsters abused by Bennett expressed their desire for explanations about how he managed to carry out his crimes.

In a statement released through law firm Leigh Day, which represents multiple affected families, they said: “We are devastated by the horrific abuse children have suffered at the hands of someone whom we all trusted to care for them.

“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 children were innocent and completely vulnerable; they were in a place that should have been safe.

“We want answers. We want to understand how someone like Nathan Bennett was able to work with young children, what checks were made, and how the safeguarding systems in place at Partou King Street nursery failed so catastrophically.

“We hope that, as well as securing justice through the criminal process, the wider issues around safeguarding and protection at the nursery will be properly reviewed so that nothing like this can ever happen again.”

Leigh Day partner Andrew Lord, representing a broader group of families impacted by Bennett’s abuse, added: “This is an utterly shocking case. The seriousness of these offences against very young, defenceless children cannot be overstated.

“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 the Partou’s safeguarding practices are profound.

“They feel that the systems that should have been in place to protect their children simply did not work.”

Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford, from Avon and Somerset Police, stated: “Nathan Bennett was trusted to care for children but committed sexual offences against the very young children at his place of work.”

She added: “An investigation involving such young children was deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned.”