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Jeremy Forrest trial: Teacher jailed for abduction and child sex Jeremy Forrest trial: Teacher jailed for abduction and child sex
(35 minutes later)
A teacher has been jailed for five and a half years for abducting and having sex with a 15-year-old pupil he ran off with to France.A teacher has been jailed for five and a half years for abducting and having sex with a 15-year-old pupil he ran off with to France.
Jeremy Forrest, 30, from Petts Wood, London, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday of child abduction.Jeremy Forrest, 30, from Petts Wood, London, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday of child abduction.
Forrest did not initially face sex offence charges for reasons linked to his extradition, but admitted them in court just before sentencing. He did not initially face sex offence charges for reasons linked to his extradition from France, but admitted them in court just before sentencing.
The maths teacher groomed the girl at his Eastbourne school, the court heard.The maths teacher groomed the girl at his Eastbourne school, the court heard.
Forrest gave no evidence in his defence during the eight-day trial.Forrest gave no evidence in his defence during the eight-day trial.
'Encouraged her infatuation'
Judge Michael Lawson QC told Forrest he had ignored the cardinal rule of teaching.Judge Michael Lawson QC told Forrest he had ignored the cardinal rule of teaching.
He also lied to colleagues claiming rumours about the relationship were the teenager's lies, said the judge. He also misled colleagues, claiming rumours about the relationship were the teenager's lies, said the judge.
"It was her first intimate relationship," said Judge Lawson."It was her first intimate relationship," said Judge Lawson.
He told Forrest he encouraged the girl's infatuation and that text messages showed he drove the sexual relationship forward.He told Forrest he encouraged the girl's infatuation and that text messages showed he drove the sexual relationship forward.
In taking her to France, he subjected the girl's family to "appalling distress".In taking her to France, he subjected the girl's family to "appalling distress".
The judge said Forrest's behaviour had been motivated by self-interest. The judge said Forrest's behaviour had been motivated by self-interest and banned him from working with children for life.
Forrest was banned from working with children for life.
'Gifted teacher''Gifted teacher'
During the hearing, the court heard statements from the mother of the teenager saying she felt like "the worst mother in the world".During the hearing, the court heard statements from the mother of the teenager saying she felt like "the worst mother in the world".
She said: "Someone got my child and I never saw it coming or saw it while it was happening."She said: "Someone got my child and I never saw it coming or saw it while it was happening."
Defence lawyer Ronald Jaffa said only a jail term was appropriate for the serious offences and he did not seek to excuse what happened but place them in context. Defence lawyer Ronald Jaffa said he did not seek to excuse what his client had done but wanted to place his actions in context.
The court heard Forrest, a gifted teacher who gave vibrant and interesting classes, had been in an unhappy marriage and had sought medical help for depression.The court heard Forrest, a gifted teacher who gave vibrant and interesting classes, had been in an unhappy marriage and had sought medical help for depression.
Mr Jaffa said Forrest's caring attitude led to the girl to ask him for help with a number of issues and he later realised she had a crush on him. Mr Jaffa said Forrest's caring attitude led the girl to ask him for help with a number of issues and he later realised she had a crush on him.
"He unfortunately fell in love and crossed the line at a time when he was in a very low position and depressed," said Mr Jaffa."He unfortunately fell in love and crossed the line at a time when he was in a very low position and depressed," said Mr Jaffa.
'Sorry episode'
After the sentencing, Forrest's family said they hoped the case would lead to a full examination of what went wrong.
His mother Julie, brother Tom and sister Carrie Hanspaul stood on the court steps while solicitor Henrietta Ronson read their statement.
"This case has been very difficult from the start for everyone involved," she said.
"This is a sorry episode for all concerned and Jeremy is very sorry for his actions.
"Despite the verdict and today's sentence, there are many factors in this case which need to be examined and addressed, including the failure to properly act on early warnings.
"We sincerely hope that these are sensibly looked into and not simply swept under the carpet."