Man charged over images in nursery porn case

Published on Tuesday 16 June 2009 19:25

A MAN has appeared in court over the possession of child pornography which sparked the investigation into nursery worker Vanessa George.

Colin Blanchard, 38, of Littleborough, near Rochdale, Greater Manchester, appeared by video-link from HMP Manchester at the city's Magistrates Court.

Steve Woodman, prosecuting, said Blanchard was charged with four offences involving the distribution, making and possession of indecent images of children, and the possession of extreme pornographic images.

Following Blanchard's arrest, George, 39, a mother of two who worked at the Little Ted's nursery in Plymouth, was arrested and the nursery, which caters for up to 60 children, was closed as part of the investigation into child abuse by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Yesterday, Mr Woodman asked the court to keep Blanchard in custody so he could be jointly charged with George in Plymouth. There was no application for bail.

Blanchard was remanded into custody to appear at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester on 23 June. His case will then be sent to Plymouth Crown Court to join that of George.

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