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| Woman charged with sexual assault | Woman charged with sexual assault |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A nursery worker has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and three counts relating to the distribution of indecent images of children. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Russ Middleton, head of CID at Devon and Cornwall Police, describes the investigation | |
| 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". | 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". |
| He said work was under way to identify the children in the images, some of which were found on a camera phone, but said it was possible that not all of them would be traced because some pictures were only of torsos. | He said work was under way to identify the children in the images, some of which were found on a camera phone, but said it was possible that not all of them would be traced because some pictures were only of torsos. |
| However, police said that some of the images discovered were taken in the nursery. | However, police said that some of the images discovered were taken in the nursery. |
| 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. | 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. | 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." | She said: "By the end of today, each family will have had a visit from a social worker and a police family liaison officer." |
| The nursery remains closed | |
| Police said they were continuing to speak to staff and parents of children who used the nursery. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | The man, from Littleborough, appeared at Trafford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with possessing and distributing indecent images. |