A nursery worker has been found guilty of an unimaginable betrayal of trust – abusing young children in his care. Nathan Bennett was convicted of eight horrific charges, from rape to sexual assault, involving five children aged just two or three at a Bristol nursery. The alarm was raised when CCTV footage caught Bennett inappropriately touching a child, leading to his immediate suspension and eventual arrest.
This shocking case has left families searching for answers on how such a predator could infiltrate a place meant to be a safe haven for children. The nursery has since closed, leaving a community in disbelief and heartache. Parents and staff had raised concerns over Bennett’s unusual and concerning behaviour back in February 2025, but it wasn’t until after police got involved that the full extent of his crimes came to light.
Bennett claimed in court that he was repeating his own childhood experiences, but he denied any improper attraction to children. The jury didn’t buy it, convicting him of multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and causing children to engage in sexual activity.
Lawyers for the affected families express devastation at the abuse that took place in what should have been a sanctuary. They demand to know how the nursery’s safeguarding procedures failed so gravely and are calling for a comprehensive review to ensure nothing like this happens again.
Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford highlighted the deep challenges faced in this case: “Bennett was trusted to care for children but instead committed these heinous offences. The impact on the families and the community is profound and lasting.”
The families hope for justice and systemic changes that will prevent such incidents from ever occurring again. This case serves as a painful reminder of the need for rigorous safeguarding measures to protect the most vulnerable members of society.