Convicted paedophile nursery worker Nathan Bennett, 30, has been found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court of multiple sexual offences against children in his care.

Bennett, of Corston, Bath, was convicted of eight charges, including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, relating to a nursery in Bristol.

The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to 13 other charges relating to the same nursery.

The trial at Bristol Crown Court heard the offences involved five children aged two or three.

The 30-year-old was arrested in August last year following a six-month investigation by specialist Avon and Somerset Police officers.

Families of the children abused by Nathan Bennett said they wanted answers as to how he was able to commit his crimes.

In a statement issued by the law firm Leigh Day, which represents several of the families involved, they said: “We are devastated by the horrific abuse children have suffered at the hands of someone whom we all trusted to care for them.

“Nothing can begin to explain the shock, anger and heartbreak we feel – or the profound and lasting impact we are sure this will have on families.

“The children were innocent and completely vulnerable; they were in a place that should have been safe.

“We want answers. We want to understand how someone like Nathan Bennett was able to work with young children, what checks were made, and how the safeguarding systems in place at Partou King Street nursery failed so catastrophically.”

Avon and Somerset Police said the investigation into Nathan Bennett was “deeply challenging and distressing”.

Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Ford said: “Nathan Bennett was trusted to care for children but committed sexual offences against the very young children at his place of work.

“An investigation involving such young children was deeply challenging and distressing for all concerned.

“I would like to pay tribute to the support and strength shown by those families.”