A British nursery worker was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court in England after being convicted of sexually abusing young children in his care.

Nathan Bennett, 30, from Corston near Bath, received a sentence that includes a minimum of 24 years in custody followed by six years on extended license, along with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Bennett worked at Partou King Street Nursery in Bristol beginning in July 2024. He was convicted following a February trial of multiple offenses, including two counts of rape of a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. He had previously pleaded guilty to 13 additional offenses involving four victims.

The five victims, all boys between the ages of two and three, were abused while at the nursery. Police reviewed extensive CCTV footage from the facility, which showed Bennett grooming and abusing the children during daily activities. Concerns were first raised in February 2025 after staff and parents observed inappropriate behavior, which led to his suspension and arrest by Avon and Somerset Police.

Judge William Hart described Bennett as an “evil” and dangerous offender with an uncontrollable sexual interest in young children. Prosecutors called the case “every parent’s nightmare.”

Families of the victims described lasting trauma, with several pursuing civil action against the nursery, alleging that warning signs were not properly addressed. The facility closed in December 2025 following regulatory intervention.

The case has prompted renewed calls in the United Kingdom for stricter safeguards in childcare settings, including expanded CCTV use and retention requirements.