Megan Safe after Teacher Is Held

Press Association
September 28, 2012

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Megan Stammers has been found 'safe and well' in France

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 protection, Sussex Police said, and Forrest was arrested.

Megan's stepfather Martin said he was "thrilled to bits, just over the moon" at news of her return.

He told Sky News: "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 the UK, and thanked police and campaign supporters on Twitter and Facebook who helped maintain publicity in the case.

Mr 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 that she had travelled with Forrest on a ferry from Dover to Calais the previous evening. They had tickets to return to the UK on 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.