News / Crime
Nursery worker guilty of rape and sexual assault of toddlers
A nursery worker who sexually abused young children in his care at a city centre nursery has been found guilty of 21 offences.
During a trial at Bristol Crown Court, the crimes of Nathan Bennett were described as “every parent’s worst nightmare”.
The paedophile worked at at the Partou nursery on King Street which has since closed.
Bennett, 30, of Corston near Bath, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of rape of a child under 13 and four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.
He had previously admitted eight counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13, four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
The charges related to five boys who were aged two and three years old at the time of the offences.
Bennett has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on March 16.
His crimes came to light when his manager reviewed CCTV and saw suspicious behaviour after concerns were raised by parents and other staff at the nursery.
Following a six-month police investigation, Bennett was initially charged with eight offences in August 2025 and later charged with 14 more offences.
In court, Virginia Cornwall for the prosecution said: “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare that a person entrusted to be responsible for your child, care for your child and nurture your child at times when you are unable to provide that parental care, abuses their position and sexually abuses that child.
“The defendant is a paedophile. He has admitted his sexual interest in pre-school age toddlers… by his partial guilty pleas to some charges in this case, the less serious charges.”
Avon & Somerset police investigating officer, detective constable Bethany Cook, added: “Nathan Bennett was trusted to care for very young children but instead committed sexual offences against them at his place of work.
“This investigation involving such young children was deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned, and I would like to commend the support and strength shown by those families.
“This case has caused significant anxiety for other families whose children attended the nursery during the time these offences were committed and, when appropriate, we’ve tried to keep them informed.
“We understand that if your children have been in contact with Nathan Bennett, you may have questions and concerns and you can contact our child protection team through our website.”
Main photo: Avon & Somerset Police
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