Child porn accused to stand trial

A Littleborough man accused of possessing child porn has appeared in court to have his case joined with that of Plymouth nursery worker Vanessa George.

Colin Blanchard (38) appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester for a brief hearing for his case to be sent to Plymouth Crown Court so he can stand trial there later this year alongside his co–accused, George.

Blanchard, who is in custody, is charged with four offences — distributing, making and possessing indecent images of children and the possession of extreme pornographic images.

Following Blanchard’s arrest, mother–of–two George (39), who worked at the Little Ted’s nursery in Plymouth, was also arrested and the nursery was closed as part of the investigation into child abuse by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Blanchard will next appear at Plymouth Crown Court on July 10.

George has already been remanded in custody charged with several counts of sexual assault and distributing indecent images. She will next appear before Plymouth Crown Court on September 21.

In a separate development last week, a second woman was arrested as part of the same investigation.

Angela Allen (39), from Nottingham, was remanded in custody at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court charged with 16 counts of distributing, possessing and making indecent images of a child between April, 2006, and June 17 this year.