Teacher Jeremy Forrest set to return to face UK kidnap charge

By CLARE BAILLIE
Published on 04/10/2012 02:32

Runaway teacher Jeremy Forrest is expected to arrive back in the UK tomorrow after he was arrested in France on suspicion of child abduction.

Forrest, 30, appeared before magistrates in Bordeaux yesterday, where he agreed to to his extradition to Britain.

Lawyers for the married maths teacher said the “full story” of his disappearance with 15-year-old pupil Megan Stammers will emerge once he has been deported.

Forrest, from Ringmer, East Sussex, travelled to France with the youngster on 20 September and a European arrest warrant was issued after the pair failed to use return ferry tickets three days later.

Forrest’s UK solicitor Phil Smith said after the court hearing: “Now that Jeremy has agreed to be extradited back to the UK we look forward to the full story emerging in the coming months.

“He is very appreciative of the support and assistance given to him by his family and in particular his parents.”

Mr Smith, from Tuckers solicitors, said: “Naturally, Jeremy is most concerned about the impact of this episode on all those affected.

“He will be making no further comment while the judicial process takes place and is co-operating with the authorities.”

A lawyer at the court, who did not want to be named, said it was likely that Forrest would be returned tomorrow, after the French magistrates had rubber-stamped the extradition.

Forrest, who was Megan’s maths teacher at Bishop Bell C of E School in Eastbourne, was being kept in detention until his removal.