Teen found in France as teacher arrested

Married maths teacher Jeremy Forrest has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction after he and missing teenager Megan Stammers were found in France.

The pair were spotted in Bordeaux, according to French media, a week after 15-year-old Megan was reported missing when she failed to turn up for school.

She has been taken into protective custody, Sussex Police said, and Forrest was arrested.

Megan’s stepfather Martin told Sky News he was “thrilled to bits, just over the moon” at news of her return. “The relief, the outpouring of love from everyone, has just been amazing. We’re so happy.

“As time goes on, you despair even more, but knowing Megan, knowing the girl she is, I always had that belief that she was strong enough within herself to remain safe and well.”

He said there was no indication of exactly when she would return to England, and thanked police and campaign supporters on Twitter and Facebook who helped maintain publicity in the case.

Stammers added: “I’m just happy. I just know in my heart that she’s safe and well and she will be back with us very soon.

“We have our daughter back, it’s just such joy.”

The alarm was raised when Megan, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, failed to go to school a week ago and it was discovered she had travelled with Forrest on a ferry from Dover to Calais the previous evening.

They had tickets to return to Britain last Sunday, but did not use them.

Terry Boatwright, headteacher of Bishop Bell C of E School, which Megan attends, said: “Everyone in the Bishop Bell School community is delighted that Megan has been found and can now be reunited with her family, who must be so relieved.

“Throughout the last week, finding Megan has been everyone’s priority and a major focus of our thoughts and prayers in school. Clearly, much needs to be done now to support Megan, and her family, as they seek to return to some sort of normality and we will do all we can to play our part in that.”

It was claimed that concerns had been raised about the teenager’s relationship with her teacher as early as February, when her friend told another teacher that they had been seen holding hands.

East Sussex Council said it is investigating what happened.

The high-profile search for the pair has seen both of their families make emotional pleas for them to return home.

Forrest’s father Jim, of Petts Wood, south-east London, begged his son or the teenager on Thursday to call or email home.

Flanked by his wife Julie, he said: “Hi Megan, hi Jeremy, I hope this message reaches you and you are both OK. There are a lot of people back home that are desperate to hear from you. All I am asking is for one of you to make a call, send an email, so we know you are both safe.

“We are all here for you both. Please, please get in contact.”

There were reported sightings of the pair in Paris, and Sussex Police received seven phone calls with information after Megan’s disappearance was featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme on Thursday.

On Monday, Megan’s mother Danielle Wilson, sitting beside Stammers, also pleaded for her safe return.

She said: “You know that your adorable princess wants her adorable mermaid back.”

The pair were found after the case received media coverage in France, Sussex Police said.

Their appeals to find them were translated into French but there was confusion about how intense the search was outside Britain.

It was reported that their details were not posted on Interpol’s website under sections used to find missing people, and French police were not carrying out a dedicated search for them.

However, Jean-Philippe Joubert, the state prosecutor for Boulogne-sur-Mer, told the Daily Telegraph: “If the couple are recognised and identified, then they will be arrested.”