Nursery worker jailed 24 years for abusing five boys

Nathan Bennett, a 30-year-old nursery worker from Corston near Bath, was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Monday at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting five boys aged two and three at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol where he was employed.

Bennett, who began working at the nursery in July 2024, was found guilty by a jury last month of eight charges: two counts of rape of a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13. He had previously pleaded guilty to 13 additional offenses involving four of the victims, including eight counts of sexual assault of a child 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 judge imposed an extended sentence with six years on license following his release, placed Bennett on the sex offenders register for life, and issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

The investigation began in February 2025 after the nursery manager reviewed CCTV footage prompted by concerns raised by parents and staff about...