An “evil” nursery worker, who raped and abused young children in his care, has been jailed at Bristol Crown Court for 24 years.
Nathan Bennett, 30, preyed on the two and three-year-olds at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol.
He was found guilty by a jury last month of eight charges including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, relating to five children.
The police launched an investigation after staff caught him on CCTV putting his hands down the trousers of a child, which led to Bennett’s arrest and later the closure of the nursery.
He was noted by staff to sit children on his lap for lengthy periods of time, wear a pair of trousers with holes in the crotch area, and seemed “territorial” over certain toddlers and their parents, the court heard.
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Bennett previously admitted 13 other charges relating to four of the five victims, who were aged two at the time.
His Honour Judge Hart described Bennet as “evil” and a “incorrigible and dangerous paedophile”. Bennett was told “your offending will leave an indelible fear in the minds of the parents” during sentencing.
The judge said: “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.
“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.”
The court heard from the mother of Child E, who said Bennett had “ultimately destroyed” her son’s trust.
She said: “The guilt and anger has been overwhelming, that we hadn’t protected him.
“What will our son remember as he grows and as he understands the impact of the abuse? We will not truly know the impact of Nathan’s actions for many years.”
Detective Inspector Lucy Forde said the case was “up there as one of the worst investigations I’ve taken part in”.
She added: “Bennett is a manipulative paedophile who has used his position of trust in nursery settings to offend against children.
“He is aware that there are cameras in the nursery and its all being recorded, and he’s continued to offend. It’s horrendous.”
Giving evidence during the trial, Bennett said he was “emulating” what was done to him as a child and denied having a sexual attraction to children.
Leigh Day partner Andrew Lord, who represents a wider group of families affected by Bennett’s abuse at a Bristol nursery, said: “This is one of the most deeply distressing cases any parent can imagine.
“The families we represent placed their trust in a nursery setting which should have been a place of safety and care.
“The criminal proceedings have exposed not only Bennett’s appalling abuse, but also serious questions about safeguarding, supervision and the handling of concerns raised by parents and staff prior to his arrest.
“We have heard of instances where parents dropped their children off and observed that Bennett appeared to be alone with very young children.
“Others are concerned about the potential missed opportunities given complaints were raised.
“Today’s sentence is an important step in holding Bennett accountable for his heinous crimes, but it does not address any wider issues that may have allowed him to continue working with very young children despite warning signs.
“We are continuing to investigate civil legal action on behalf of families who are seeking answers, accountability and assurances that safeguarding has drastically improved.”
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