Image @ Crown Prosecution Service
A nursery worker at Partou King Street Nursery in Bristol, Nathan Bennett, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping and abusing five boys aged two to three who were under his care.
Bennett, 30, was found guilty last month of multiple charges, including two counts of raping a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two charges of sexual assault of a child under 13 by penetration.
During the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court today, Judge William Hart described Bennett as an “incorrigible and dangerous pedophile,” labeling his actions as “evil.”
Following the sentencing, senior crown prosecutor Gemma Kneebone expressed that Bennett’s crimes were “amongst the most appalling and upsetting” she had encountered.
She emphasized the trust parents place in educational institutions, stating, “When we send our children to school or pre-school each day, we do so trusting that they will be cared for and kept safe. To discover that a person to whom you had entrusted your child’s care could betray that trust in such a way is unimaginable. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by these terrible crimes.”
Andrew Lord, a partner at Leigh Day who represents a group of families impacted by Bennett’s abuse, described the case as “one of the most deeply distressing cases any parent can imagine.” He pointed out that the criminal proceedings have not only revealed Bennett’s horrific actions but have also raised serious concerns about safeguarding practices, supervision, and how previous concerns raised by parents and staff were handled before his arrest.
Lord remarked, “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.” He noted that the firm is continuing to explore civil legal action on behalf of the families whose children attended the nursery.
Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford from Avon and Somerset Police highlighted the trust placed in Bennett to care for children, stating that he committed sexual offences against them at his workplace.
She acknowledged that investigating such cases involving very young children was profoundly challenging and distressing for everyone involved.
By: Madeline Moore