A second woman and two men were arrested today as part of an investigation into child abuse allegedly committed by a female nursery worker in Britain.
Vanessa George (39) who worked at Little Ted’s nursery in Plymouth, Devon, has already been charged with sexual assault and making and distributing indecent images of children.
Devon and Cornwall Police revealed that another woman, also 39, was arrested this morning in Nottingham, along with two men in their 20s.
The woman is being held on suspicion of sexual assault on a child and possessing and distributing indecent images of children. The two men also remain in custody in Nottingham.
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Michele Slevin, of the Devon and Cornwall force, said today: “We have carried out a large number of inquiries since our initial arrest on Tuesday June 9th. This has resulted in the arrests in Nottinghamshire.
“From our current inquiries, there is nothing to suggest the most recently arrested people have any links to Plymouth or any premises in the city. However, we are still working to establish the exact links that exist between these people and Vanessa George and evidence of the nature of their relationship.
“We are continuing to prioritise our inquiries here and we will now be working closely with our colleagues in both Greater Manchester and Nottinghamshire in relation to these new arrests.”
Inquiries in Manchester earlier in the investigation led to the arrest of Colin Blanchard (38) from Littleborough, near Rochdale. He appeared by video-link from Manchester prison at the city’s magistrates’ court yesterday.
Mr Blanchard is charged with four offences - distributing, making and possessing indecent images of children and the possession of extreme pornographic images.
Police said at a press conference last week that they believed some of the photographs were taken at Little Ted’s. The nursery, which caters for up to 60 children, was closed after the arrest of Ms George, a mother of two.
Mr Blanchard was remanded in custody yesterday to appear on June 23rd at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, where his case will then be sent to Plymouth Crown Court to be joined with the case of George.
Ms George has already been remanded in custody charged with several counts of sexual assault and making and distributing indecent images. She will next appear before Plymouth Crown Court on September 21st.
PA