A female paedophile involved in "one of the most sickening paedophile rings this country has seen" is to be released from prison.

Angela Allen was one of four women, including nursery worker Vanessa George, who were convinced by Colin Blanchard to sexually assault young children and share the images.

Allen admitted four child sex assaults and one count of distributing an indecent image.

She was given an indeterminate sentence in 2009 and told she could not apply for parole until she had served at least five years.

The Parole Board confirmed that an oral hearing held in December ruled she could be released.


Allen, George and ringleader Blanchard, along with Tracy Lyons and Tracy Dawber, were all jailed for the abuse.

Prosecutors described the group as "one of the most sickening paedophile rings this country has seen".

Blanchard, an IT consultant, was described as "warped, wicked, dangerous, devious and manipulative" as he was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence with a minimum term of nine years in 2011.

George abused children at Little Ted's nursery in Plymouth, where she worked, and was released from prison last year.

Image: Vanessa George was released from prison last year

Mother-of-one Allen - from Bulwell near Nottingham - was described by police as "sinister and evil" and living on the "fringe of society" in a rundown house with no furniture.

At the time of her sentencing, Detective Superintendent Adrian Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, called her "totally evil individual" who had no remorse.

A spokesman for the Parole Board said: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Angela Allen following an oral hearing in December 2019.

"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release.

Image: Colin Blanchard was the ringleader of the gang

"The panel will have carefully looked at a whole range of evidence, including details of the original evidence and any evidence of behaviour change.

"We do that with great care and public safety is our number one priority."