Braintree man jailed for 16 years for child abuse offences
Specialist investigators secure conviction of prolific offender
Last updated 17th Aug 2026
A 21-year-old man from Braintree has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after admitting to multiple child sexual offences.
Nathan Behrens pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to charges including attempted rape and sexual assault, with offences involving children as young as four taking place between 2022 and 2025.
The court heard Behrens also possessed indecent images of children.
His admission followed an investigation by specialist sexual abuse officers, who carefully built the case against him, gathering evidence and supporting the victims.
As part of the investigation, Behrens was found to have searched for child pornography online.
On Friday, 14th August, Behrens was sentenced, receiving an additional eight years on extended licence.
Detective Constable Kai Ishaq emphasised the risk Behrens poses to children and highlighted the significant harm caused by his actions.
He paid tribute to the bravery of the victims and their families, acknowledging their trust in the police to secure justice.
"I want to pay tribute to the victims and their families in this case for the courage they have shown and thank them for trusting us to secure justice for them," he said.
With the evidence built against him, Behrens was left with no option but to admit his offences, ensuring he remains behind bars for the foreseeable future.