Nursery worker appears in court amid angry scenes

A 39-year-old female nursery worker appeared in court yesterday charged with sexual assault and making and distributing indecent images of children.

Vanessa George was jeered as she appeared before a packed public gallery at Plymouth Magistrates Court wearing a white tee-shirt and black trousers.

Ms George, from the Efford area of Plymouth, spoke only to confirm her name and address, and entered no pleas.

She was remanded in custody to appear at Plymouth Crown Court on September 21, the Press Association reported.

As she was led away, a man in a red T-shirt leapt from the public gallery and spat at her. Another man fled the court in tears.

Outside the court, flour was thrown at the police van taking her away as it drove past an angry crowd held behind crash barriers, Sky News reported.

Police detained two men who had tried to block the van.

Ms George was arrested on Tuesday after officers searched the Little Ted's Child Day Unit in Plymouth and her home. Devon and Cornwall police said on Wednesday they were studying a number of photos on a camera phone, some believed to have been taken inside the nursery.

They added they had yet to identify any of the children in the photos, many of which are images of torsos.

Ms George was held following the arrest of 38-year-old Colin Blanchard from Littleborough, near Rochdale, by Greater Manchester Police. Mr Blanchard has been charged with the possession and distribution of indecent images.