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Jeremy Forrest opts not to give evidence in his own defence Jeremy Forrest opts not to give evidence in his own defence
(35 minutes later)
A married maths teacher who allegedly abducted a schoolgirl and took her to France has opted not to give evidence in his own defence, Lewes crown court heard. A married maths teacher who allegedly abducted a schoolgirl and took her to France has opted not to give evidence in his own defence, Lewes crown court has heard.
After the prosecution ended its evidence in the trial of Jeremy Forrest, 30, the defence instead read a series of character references from family and friends.After the prosecution ended its evidence in the trial of Jeremy Forrest, 30, the defence instead read a series of character references from family and friends.
Judge Michael Lawson QC told the jury they could draw "any inferences as appear proper" from the defendant's decision not to give evidence.Judge Michael Lawson QC told the jury they could draw "any inferences as appear proper" from the defendant's decision not to give evidence.
Forrest denies an offence of child abduction.Forrest denies an offence of child abduction.
The trial has heard that the pupil, who cannot be named, was 15 when they began a sexual relationship after she developed a crush on him at Bishop Bell school in Eastbourne, East Sussex.The trial has heard that the pupil, who cannot be named, was 15 when they began a sexual relationship after she developed a crush on him at Bishop Bell school in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
Forrest booked them tickets on a cross-Channel ferry from Dover to Calais on 20 September last year and they spent seven days on the run in France.Forrest booked them tickets on a cross-Channel ferry from Dover to Calais on 20 September last year and they spent seven days on the run in France.
The jury was told that the two had spent nights together in hotels before they left for France. Details of five bookings for double rooms between July 26 and September 7 last year were given, including the Premier Inns in Polegate and Hastings, and the White Hart hotel in Lewes. The jury was told that the two had spent nights together in hotels before they left for France. Details of five bookings for double rooms between 26 July and 7 September last year were given, including the Premier Inns in Polegate and Hastings, and the White Hart hotel in Lewes.
Forrest looked tearful as his lawyer, Ronald Jaffa, read out six character references.Forrest looked tearful as his lawyer, Ronald Jaffa, read out six character references.
In one, Dale Ives-Routleff, a tax analyst living in Abu Dhabi and who was Forrest's best man, said he had noticed him become much quieter and withdrawn in the last two years. In one, Dale Ives-Routleff, a tax analyst living in Abu Dhabi who was Forrest's best man, said he had noticed him become much quieter and withdrawn in the past two years.
He said Forrest, who married his long-term girlfriend Emily in April 2011, confided in him at Christmas that year that he found his home and married life "miserable, lonely and depressing".He said Forrest, who married his long-term girlfriend Emily in April 2011, confided in him at Christmas that year that he found his home and married life "miserable, lonely and depressing".
Former colleagues described him as a gifted teacher, and the court was told that since being put on remand, he had been teaching inmates at Lewes prison to improve their numeracy and literacy.Former colleagues described him as a gifted teacher, and the court was told that since being put on remand, he had been teaching inmates at Lewes prison to improve their numeracy and literacy.
Benedict Beaumont, a fellow teacher at Bishop Bell school, described Forrest as one of the most gifted teachers he had met. He said he cared deeply about the welfare of his pupils and was popular with both students and staff.Benedict Beaumont, a fellow teacher at Bishop Bell school, described Forrest as one of the most gifted teachers he had met. He said he cared deeply about the welfare of his pupils and was popular with both students and staff.
Forrest's older sister, Carrie Hanspaul, said in a statement that her brother was a wonderful uncle to her three young daughters and a quiet mild-mannered man. She said she believed his caring nature had got him into trouble. Forrest's older sister, Carrie Hanspaul, said in a statement that her brother was a wonderful uncle to her three young daughters and a quiet, mild-mannered man. She said she believed his caring nature had got him into trouble.
"He never has a bad word to say about anyone and always strives to do what he can to help other people and care for them. "He never has a bad word to say about anyone and always strives to do what he can to help other people and care for them. Unfortunately I believe this has contributed to his recent actions."
"Unfortunately I believe this has contributed to his recent actions."
She continued: "Jeremy has been in a very difficult relationship for the last six years but did not want to worry the rest of the family.She continued: "Jeremy has been in a very difficult relationship for the last six years but did not want to worry the rest of the family.
"Instead he withdrew more and more and tried to deal with the issues himself. I believe he became more and more depressed". "Instead he withdrew more and more and tried to deal with the issues himself. I believe he became more and more depressed."
His uncle, John Forrest, a solicitor specialising in pensions law, said he was a "gentle and responsible person who does not pose a threat to another person".His uncle, John Forrest, a solicitor specialising in pensions law, said he was a "gentle and responsible person who does not pose a threat to another person".
His statement added: "He is deeply upset by the position in which he finds himself and is embarrassed and remorseful about the upset which he has caused to his friends and family."His statement added: "He is deeply upset by the position in which he finds himself and is embarrassed and remorseful about the upset which he has caused to his friends and family."
The case continues.The case continues.
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