Nursery worker who raped and abused young children in his care is jailed | UK | News
Nathan Bennett jailed (Image: PA)
A nursery worker who raped and abused young children in her care has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Nathan Bennett, 30, preyed on two- and three-year-old children at the nursery in Partou King Street, Bristol.
He was found guilty by a jury last month of eight charges, including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, involving five children.
He was sentenced to 24 years in prison and his license extended by six years at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.
Bennett had previously pleaded guilty to a further 13 charges relating to four of the five victims, who were two years old at the time.
The court heard concerns were raised by parents and staff about Bennett’s behavior towards children in his care in February last year.
Police launched an investigation after security cameras spotted Bennett putting his hands down a child’s trousers, which led to Bennett’s arrest and subsequent closure of the nursery.
The court heard staff members made him sit with children on his lap for long periods of time, wore trousers with holes in the crotch area and appeared to be “territorial” towards some young children and their parents.
During the trial, the jury was shown video interviews with two children, referred to in the case only as Child A and Child E.
Child E’s mother also gave statements describing how her son was abused at the nursery.
“I got him to stop doing that. I asked him when it happened. He said it happened in kindergarten,” she said.
Giving evidence, Bennett said he was “imitating” what was done to him as a child and denied any sexual attraction to children.
The defendant, of Corston, Bath, was found guilty by a jury of:
– Two charges of raping a child under the age of 13.
– Four charges of sexual assault on a child under 13 years of age.
– Two charges of assault by penetration on a child under the age of 13.
He had previously pleaded guilty to 13 other charges. Them:
– Eight charges of sexual assault on a child under 13.
– Four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
– The crime of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
