Steve Perkins@Perky_43
🚨⚠️ NATHAN BENNETT, 30
JAILED FOR RAPE AND ABUSE OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN HIS CARE
A nursery worker who raped and abused young children in his care has been sentenced to 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.
Bennett previously admitted 13 other charges relating to four of the five victims, who were aged two at the time.
Passing an extended sentence at Bristol Crown Court of 24 years in custody and a further six years on licence, Judge William Hart described Nathan Bennett as an “incorrigible and dangerous paedophile”.
During the trial, jurors heard how concerns were raised by parents and staff about Bennett’s behaviour towards the children in his care in February last year.
On February 26, nursery manager Victoria Tutton, who was known as Vera, viewed CCTV footage which showed Bennett putting his hands down the trousers of a child and immediately sent him home.
Avon and Somerset Police launched an investigation, leading to Bennett’s arrest and later the closure of the nursery.
Bennett began working at the nursery in July 2024 and told staff he was autistic, though jurors heard he has never been formally diagnosed with the condition.
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.
Nursery practitioner Elizabeth Burton told the court that Bennett had a “jealous attachment” with five children and would “take control of them”.
During the trial, video interviews with two of the children in the case – referred to only as Child A and Child E – were played to the jury. Child E’s mother also gave evidence, telling how her son had demonstrated how he had been abused 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.
Giving evidence, Bennett said he was “emulating” what was done to him as a child and denied having a sexual attraction to children.
During sentencing, Judge William Hart described Nathan Bennett as 'evil'.
"These were happy innocent toddlers in a secure setting", he said. "The children we see were not secure. They were at risk.
"You were lurking, and to pollute their innocence with your own vile desires. You are an incorrigible and dangerous paedophile with an uncontrollable and ungovernable interest in male toddlers", he added.
"You prioritised your own sexual satisfaction over the welfare of these little children."
Credit UK Database.
