Runaway teacher agrees to return

Runaway teacher Jeremy Forrest is expected to arrive back in the UK on Thursday after he was arrested in France on suspicion of child abduction.

Forrest, 30, appeared before magistrates in Bordeaux on Tuesday where he agreed to to his extradition to Britain.

Lawyers for the married maths teacher said the "full story" of his disappearance with 15-year-old pupil Megan Stammers will emerge once he has been deported.

Forrest, from Ringmer, East Sussex, travelled to France with the youngster on September 20 and a European arrest warrant was issued after the pair failed to use return ferry tickets three days later.

Forrest's UK solicitor Phil Smith said after the court hearing: "Now that Jeremy has agreed to be extradited back to the UK we look forward to the full story emerging in the coming months. He is very appreciative of the support and assistance given to him by his family and in particular his parents."

Forrest, who appeared in court wearing a T-shirt, checked shirt and trousers, confirmed his name and nationality before agreeing to return to the UK. Flanked by an interpreter and two security guards, he signed a document to kick-start extradition proceedings during the short session.

The court is expected to give the green light to his removal from the south-western port city on Thursday.

Mr Smith from Tuckers solicitors said: "Naturally, Jeremy is most concerned about the impact of this episode on all those affected. He will be making no further comment whilst the judicial process takes place and is co-operating with the authorities."

A lawyer at the court, who did not want to be named, said it was likely that Forrest would be returned as soon as the French magistrates rubber-stamped the extradition. Forrest, Megan's teacher at Bishop Bell C of E School in Eastbourne, was being kept in detention until his removal.

The teenager has already returned to her home town and been reunited with mother Danielle Wilson and stepfather Martin Stammers.