Between late 2008 and early 2009, Vanessa George, Colin Blanchard and Angela Allen met on Facebook,[1] and then started to email and text message each other.
A fifth member of the ring, Tracy Dawber, a care worker from Southport, in Merseyside, was found guilty of one count of sexually abusing a baby in October 2010.
The colleague found images of sexual abuse of babies and toddlers, which he reported to Greater Manchester Police.
George appeared in court on 11 June on charges of sexual assault and making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.
On 15 December 2009 George was given an indeterminate sentence, and told that she would serve at least seven years, with the proviso that she must prove she is safe to society before being released.
[8] Allen pleaded guilty to distributing an indecent image, and four counts of sexual assault; all of the offences involved children.
[10] In March 2010, a book written by Wensley Clarkson, Vanessa: A Portrait of Evil caused controversy when parents of the victims railed against it, calling it 'sick' and saying they were 'horrified'.
[17] Little Ted's, the private nursery where the abuse took place, was situated in the grounds of Laira Green Primary School.