Jeremy Forrest, the teacher who ran away to France with teenage pupil, Megan Stammers was taken to a court in France by armed police on Tuesday before agreeing to extradition back to the UK.
Jeremy Forrest (30) told the court, via his lawyer, that the “full story” of his relationship with fifteen-year-old Megan Stammers is yet to been told.
The teacher revealed an unshaven face and greasy hair as the coat enveloping his head was removed prior to the hearing.
He signed the extradition papers dressed in a checked shirt and dark trousers before being remanded in custody by a panel of three judges.
After he ran away with Megan Stammers to France on 20th September, the married maths teacher will be defending himself on a charge of child abduction when he returns.
The hearing which lasted only fifteen minutes took place at Bordeaux’s appeal court.
The translator for Jeremy Forrest whispered the English version of the judge’s inquiries to him whilst reporters took notes from the seats of the stone-walled, oak-panelled courtroom.
Judge Eric Grafmuller asked the teacher to give his name to which he quietly replied: “Jeremy Forrest”. He then nodded to verify his birth date and nationality.
After the hearing, the British lawyer for Jeremy Forrest, Phil Smith, commented: “Now he has agreed to be extradited to the UK, we look forward to the full story emerging.
He is very appreciative of the support of his family.”
Smith then stated that Jeremy Forrest felt “concerned about the impact of this on all those concerned” as well as being concerned for “all those impacted” by what had going on.
The French lawyer for Jeremy Forrest, Daniel Lalanne quoted the teacher as saying: “I still love her”.
Lalanne said that Jeremy Forrest hadn’t subjected Megan Stammers “to violence or manipulation” and that he “only wants to be reunited with Megan”.
Jeremy Forrest had his head re-covered by the coat whilst police accompanied him back from the courtroom to the French jail where he’s been remanded.
If he’s convicted under UK law, he could face up to 5 years in prison, as well as a £60,000 fine.
Jeremy Forrest was taken into custody last Friday in Bordeaux, a city in South-West France after a police hunt for the couple who’d been staying in a cheap hotel.
Witnesses reported that Jeremy Forrest and Megan Stammers were acting like Bonnie and Clyde, the fugitive American gangsters, whilst endeavouring to avoid police on their visits to expat bars.
The two were also spotted posing for photographs in Bordeaux city centre, a place that Jeremy Forrest had visited earlier in 2009 and performed as a busker.
Megan Stammers is at a secret location following her return to the UK on Saturday.
She is back with her mother, Danielle Wilson and stepfather, Martin Stammers.
Jeremy Forrest taught at Bishop Bell Church of England School in Eastbourne which is where Megan studied.
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