Husband of nursery worker on child porn charges speaks of his shock
The husband of a female nursery worker charged with sexually assaulting children said he was shocked over the allegations.
Vanessa George, 39, who worked at the Little Ted's nursery in Plymouth, was remanded in custody yesterday amid angry scenes in the city's magistrates court.
George, of Douglass Road, Plymouth, faces four sexual assault charges concerning children under 13 and three separate counts of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.
Detectives believe some of the images could have been taken in the nursery.
George's husband Andrew said in a statement last night: "Myself, my two children and family have been shocked by the information and events of the past three days.
"We remain strong as a family and will now await the case to go through the judicial system.
"We have two young children and my paramount concern is to lessen the impact these events have on them as much as possible."
Security was heightened at court yesterday ahead of reports of a planned protest outside the building.
Twenty uniformed police officers were dispatched outside the court in St Andrews Street and barriers were placed around the vehicle entrance and exit at the rear of the court.
Inside the court George, wearing a white T-shirt and black trousers, appeared before a packed public gallery as she emerged from the steps below the dock.
She remained motionless as she was jeered and hissed at by the 30 to 40 men and women behind her.
As details of the charges were read, cries from the public gallery escalated, with one man finally running from the court in tears.
As George was led away, a man leapt from the public gallery and spat at her.
During the 10-minute hearing George spoke only to confirm her name and address. She entered no pleas.
The court heard the charges ranged from January 2007 to this month.
Prosecutor Michael French applied for the case to be sent to the crown court.
Chairman of the bench Hilary Anderson remanded George in custody. Her counsel, Geoff Parlby, made no application for bail.
Outside court there were more heated scenes as people shouted and punched the marked police van carrying George away.
A home-made missile containing flour was also launched at the vehicle, which was forced to come to a stop by protesters.
Two men, aged 22 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, after attacks on the police van.
The 31-year-old was cautioned for damage and possession of cannabis and the 22-year-old was released without charge, police said.
