Woman charged with sexual assault

[Dunc]

A nursery worker has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and three counts relating to the distribution of indecent images of children.

Vanessa George, 39, of Plymouth, Devon, was arrested at her home in the Efford area of the city on Monday night.

Police said that some images discovered by officers were taken inside the Little Ted's nursery where she worked.

She is in police custody and due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Thursday, officers said.

As well as the sexual assault charges, Ms George faces one count each of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

Little Ted's nursery, in Laira, remains closed.

About 40 police officers are working on the case, including internet crime investigators. Children's care specialists are also involved in the operation, police said.

At a police press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Ch Supt Jim Webster of Devon and Cornwall Police said officers realised it was a "very sensitive issue" and a "significant and distressing situation".

Police said work was under way to identify the children in the images, some of which were found on a camera phone, but added it was possible that not all of them would be traced because some pictures were only of torsos.

However, Det Ch Supt Russ Middleton, head of Devon and Cornwall CID, told the conference: "It is safe to say that some of the images were taken within the nursery, but others... it is impossible to say where that may be."

Police added that they were to carry out investigations on computer equipment that had been seized, and that a caravan near Harlyn Bay, near Padstow in Cornwall, had been searched as well.

Plymouth City Council and the NHS in Plymouth said that support would be provided for the children and families who used the nursery.

The council's director of Children's Services, Bronwyn Lacey, said about 95 families were being contacted.

She said: "By the end of today, each family will have had a visit from a social worker and a police family liaison officer."

Police said they were continuing to speak to staff and parents of children who used the nursery.

About 100 people attended a meeting on Tuesday evening held by police and local council child care staff for parents whose children attended the nursery.

Ch Supt Webster said: "Last night's meeting was well attended by those people associated with the nursery and we took the opportunity to allay their fears where possible and also further the police investigation into the allegations.

"We will continue to liaise with local groups and people associated with the nursery and are committed with our partners to update concerned and interested parties at the earliest opportunity."

Ms George was arrested after Devon and Cornwall Police were contacted by officers in Manchester after a 38-year-old man from near Rochdale was charged in connection with the investigation.

The man, from Littleborough, appeared at Trafford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with possessing and distributing indecent images.

[Dunc]

God this is horrible to even complainant I see stories like this and it makes me sick 2 reasons 1st is the crime itself and the 2nd is the naming of the person charged before they are found guilty.

[Chezell]

This is absolutly disgusting terrible unbelivable

In fact word's fail me

I too work in a nursery and can not think what possesed this woman to do these things

Was she CRB checked, if not why not.

Although this is not infalible as all it really is is a check to see if you have any criminal convictions or police records.

I really feel for the parents of the children involved, I know as a parent myself you trust the professionals to look after your children, But now who can you trust.

Just goes to prove it's not just STRANGER DANGER you have to teach you little ones about but anyone they come into contact with

I am mortified that someone within my own proffesion could do this sort of thing:banghead:

[sammie]

I wish i hadn't read that! Those poor families, and the poor kids...I can't imagine ever doing anything like that to a child, and can't even bear to think about anyone doing those things to my kids...I don't even like my mum/dad/nan etc changing my kids nappies, i prefer to do it myself or have andy do it, you just can't trust even those who are meant to be trustworthy!

But I see what you mean Dunc, here in the uk you are guilty until proven otherwise!

[Sarah]

OMG that's sick and wrong !

Agree though Dunc, shouldn't be naming people until they are proven guilty!

[Alex T]

So true about the naming thing - no one should be named until found guilty!

After reading that i felt sick - being a male teacher myself - I have to take so many extra precautions than most of the other staff that work in my school.

[Alex T]

Just heard her charges on the news:

2 charges of penetration of a child under 13.

2 charges of touching a child under 13.

1 charge of making, owning and distributing child porn images.

[Sarah]

Just heard her charges on the news:

2 charges of penetration of a child under 13.

2 charges of touching a child under 13.

1 charge of making, owning and distributing child porn images.

WTF!!!!!! sick sick sick sick:banghead:

[siberian_wolf]

OMG!!!!!!!!! Thats terrible, how can people do this, seriously what goes through their minds? I must admit is rather wrong that they named her before charging her!