Families of children suspected of being abused by Vanessa George say “more should have been done” to keep her behind bars after MPs gave the green light last week for a new law to stop the release of prisoners who refuse to name their victims. 

Earlier this month, MPs voted to push through the Prisoner ­Disclosure Bill which will allow the Parole Board to refuse the release of prisoners who withhold information about their victims. 

Parents of the George victims ­lobbied for the change in legislation but say it did not happen fast enough to stop the abuser from being released and have since written an open letter to the abuser begging her to “give them closure”. 

George, 49, was jailed for a ­minimum of seven years in 2009 after she sexually assaulted up to 64 ­children as young as two and ­distributed pictures while she was working at a Plymouth nursery. 

News of her release emerged last September. She was banned from returning to Devon and Cornwall and is forbidden from ­working with children for the rest of her life. 

One mother, whose 14-month-old daughter was believed to be a ­victim, said: “A group of us parents were called into a room and told it was likely that our children had been sexually abused at their nursery. You cannot imagine that feeling. 

“We were the unlucky ones. Our ­children couldn’t even tell us what was ­happening. They were the most vulnerable you could get. 

“The least she can do is give us closure. A group of us ­lobbied for this change years ago. We have always fought for the truth. 

“Of course she shouldn’t have been released when she refused to say who her victims were, how is that showing remorse? She has always refused. 

“It’s such a shame that this law has come in too late. Way too late. ­Especially for us. Six months earlier and she would still be rotting in jail, but instead she’s living her life free while we live never knowing the truth. How is that right?” 

The emotional letter, signed by four families and aimed directly at George, reads: “Nothing will ever make us understand that depravity you showed, of taking photos and abusing children who were just so tiny while in a position of trust. You have said you want to move on with your life in your parole hearing, well so do we. 

“You have said you feel remorse for your actions, and want to be ­better, prove it. Give us the closure we need. 

“We live not knowing whether one day our children will have flashbacks. As a mother yourself, do the right thing. 

“Imagine if this had been your children.” 

Parents worked with their MP for the area, Labour’s Luke Pollard, to pass the Bill. He said: “MPs have passed the Prisoner Disclosure Bill that learns the lessons of the release of Vanessa George. Sexual offenders who abuse ­children and refuse to name their victims will now not be released early thanks to a change in the law. This has been my most important campaign.”

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