Megan Stammers on her way home safe - teacher arrested
The maths teacher who disappeared to France with a 15-year-old student has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction after the pair were tracked down to Bordeaux.
Jeremy Forrest and Megan Stammers were found in southern France just after noon today (Friday) after a continent-wide appeal for information led to a string of sightings.
Megan has been put in police protection while 30-year-old Mr Forrest will likely be held for the next few days while the authorities sort out diplomatic red tape. He has been made ‘garde a vu’, which essentially means he is a suspect in custody facing charges.
There remains some confusion as to what will happen to Mr Forrest, with it as yet unclear as to whether he will face any subsequent charges in France of back in the UK.
According to reports, the pair were seen strolling hand in hand through a busy shopping area of the French city and a tip-off alerted local police to their whereabouts – ending a week-long man hunt which started on the south coast and spread to Europe.
Officers from Sussex Police are now said to be on their way to Bordeaux which is about a seven hour drive from the capital Paris, where an English woman reported seeing them on Sunday.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said the widespread media coverage and social media campaign had helped trace them.
They said, “The information which led to them being located came as a direct result of media coverage in France.
“Their families have been informed and arrangements will now be made for Megan and Jeremy’s safe return.”
Megan’s step dad, Martin Stammers, has been using Twitter all week to help spread the word and he immediately took to the site to express his relief after hearing she had been found.
Tweeting, Mr Stammers said, “Thank you everyone for everything, massive relief and thrilled to bits.”
Her sister Brooke added, “Absolutely on top of the world of the world right now, to know our Megan is safe and sound!”
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Weather for Eastbourne
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
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