In a case described as "every parent's nightmare," Nathan Bennett, a 30-year-old nursery worker, has been found guilty of sexually abusing five young boys at the Partou King Street Nursery in Bristol. The Bristol Crown Court convicted Bennett of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, and two counts of assault by penetration, with the victims being as young as two and three years old.

Bennett, who began working at the nursery in July 2024, was arrested in February 2025 after the nursery manager, Victoria Tutton, discovered CCTV footage showing him inappropriately touching a child. This arrest followed a six-month investigation by Avon and Somerset Police. Prior to his arrest, concerns had been raised by both parents and staff regarding Bennett's overly affectionate behavior towards the children, including sitting them on his lap for extended periods and kissing them on the cheeks.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Virginia Cornwall, highlighted Bennett's manipulative tactics, which included showering the boys with affection to gain their trust. "His system demonstrates a certain level of predation," Cornwall stated. The jury also heard distressing testimonies from parents, including one mother who recounted her horror upon learning from her son that he had been abused.

The nursery, part of the Partou group, closed its doors in December 2025. Families affected by the abuse have expressed their devastation and are seeking answers through the law firm Leigh Day. "The children were innocent and completely vulnerable; they were in a place that should have been safe," a spokesperson for the firm said, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into how Bennett was able to work with young children.