Swimming instructor sentenced to over five years for abusing vulnerable children
Nathan Berry, a swimming teacher at Penarth Leisure Centre, was convicted of sexual assault and possession of indecent images of non-verbal children and sentenced to five years and four months in prison.
South Wales Police arrested swimming instructor Nathan Berry in March 2026 while he was employed at Penarth Leisure Centre near Cardiff. A forensic examination of his phone uncovered over 120 indecent images of children, leading to charges of sexual touching a child under 13. Parents identified their non-verbal children from the photographs, confirming the victims' vulnerability.
Berry admitted guilt to eight offences, ranging from taking and creating indecent images to sexual assault, and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to five years and four months' imprisonment with an eight-year extended licence. He is also subject to a Restraining Order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that prohibit any unsupervised contact with minors under 16. The court emphasized the need to protect the victims and restore public confidence in safeguarding measures.
Why it matters
The case highlights the importance of rigorous safeguarding in youth sports and the legal consequences for abusing vulnerable children.
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