Sussex schoolgirl missing with teacher, police believe (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Sussex schoolgirl missing with teacher, police believe
4:41pm Sunday 23rd September 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
Sussex has fled to France with 15-year-old pupil, police believe
A teacher is believed to have gone on the run to France with a teenage schoolgirl.
Megan Stammers, 15, who is thought to be with 30-year-old Jeremy Forrest, remained missing last night.
Police said they believed the two were together after boarding a boat to Calais from Dover at 9.20pm on Friday.
Sources last night claimed Mr Forrest is a maths teacher at Bishop Bell School in Priory Road, Eastbourne, which Megan also attends.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said “critical lines of inquiry” were being pursued in order to find Megan, whose father Martin Stammers is a teacher at The Causeway School in Eastbourne.
The spokeswoman refused to answer whether or not Megan was considered to be in danger, but said: “She is vulnerable because of her age.”
Megan, of Walton Close, Eastbourne, was reported missing on Friday at 12.30pm after failing to turn up to school.
She is described as 5ft 6in, of slim build, with very long dark brown hair and was last seen wearing a white vest top and a silver necklace.
Officers said she was taken in a car to the Kent ferry port before catching the boat to France.
Yesterday a Sussex Police spokeswoman said officers were continuing to liaise with their French counterparts.
People have been asked to look out for Mr Forrest’s black Ford Fiesta which has the number plate GJ08 RJO.
It is understood Mr Forrest is recently married.
Detective Inspector Andy Harbour, of Sussex Police, said: “We are appealing for Megan to make contact with her family who are very worried and miss her. “We know that she crossed from Dover to Calais at around time 9.20pm.
“We believe she is still in France and we are in contact with the French authorities.”
Yesterday, all was quiet outside the family home on an estate in Langney, a suburb of Eastbourne.
Megan’s mother, pictured, appeared briefly before she was driven away in the family car.
Lewes District Commander, Chief Inspector Jason Tingley, added: “We are investigating several lines of enquiry and are grateful for the support and cooperation from Megan's family and friends.
“We need Megan or Jeremy to make contact with us to help us return her safely to her family.”
Mr Stammers said: "We just want Megan to make contact with us. We are worried and miss her terribly. Please get in touch Megan.”
He launched an internet campaign to bring her home, setting up a website where people could post pictures of her and report possible sightings of her.
Celebrities including Mollie King from pop group The Saturdays posted messages on Twitter calling for people to keep looking for Megan.
Her father said: “Have to remain strong for Meg, can’t dwell in the misery of what ifs – we love you sweetheart, doing all we can.”
No one answered at Bishop Bell School either yesterday or on Saturday. The gates at school were locked all weekend.
A statement on its website said: “We are extremely concerned about a missing pupil and, if anyone at all has any information, we would urge them to contact the police as a matter of urgency.”
A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: “Obviously this is a serious situation and one which we are extremely concerned about. Our main concern is Megan’s safe return home.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.
Comments(53)
rolivan
says...
6:24pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
6:36pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Nathan_Adler
says...
6:38pm Sun 23 Sep 12
But because of his ****, I hope he dies soon.
PorkBoat
says...
7:06pm Sun 23 Sep 12
PorkBoat
says...
7:06pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Nathan_Adler wrote:Afraid of the competition?
Whilst still wrong, why didn't the teacher just wait til she was 16, leave the school then have his merry way with her.
But because of his ****, I hope he dies soon.
Nathan_Adler
says...
7:32pm Sun 23 Sep 12
PorkBoat wrote:Eh???
Nathan_Adler wrote:Afraid of the competition?
Whilst still wrong, why didn't the teacher just wait til she was 16, leave the school then have his merry way with her.
But because of his ****, I hope he dies soon.
Ouseler
says...
8:08pm Sun 23 Sep 12
hubby
says...
9:06pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Should it not have been reported to her parents within 15 minutes of her not registering in the morning?
This guy has totally wrecked his life,whereas in a few years time she will be trawling her multicoloured kids around the Arndale centre on taxpayers money.
Sad,but probably not far from the truth.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
10:16pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Most of us think he's a kiddy fiddler so please don't pick names from a dictionary to explain his behaviour.
She looks like a child and probably behaves like a child.
greeg2
says...
11:22pm Sun 23 Sep 12
PorkBoat
says...
1:00am Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:No, I'm just far, far cleverer than you.
Trust old pork bloat to know the variety of names for perverts.
Most of us think he's a kiddy fiddler so please don't pick names from a dictionary to explain his behaviour.
She looks like a child and probably behaves like a child.
PorkBoat
says...
1:02am Mon 24 Sep 12
PorkBoat wrote:P.S. Let's hope your solicitor is better informed than you.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:No, I'm just far, far cleverer than you.
Trust old pork bloat to know the variety of names for perverts.
Most of us think he's a kiddy fiddler so please don't pick names from a dictionary to explain his behaviour.
She looks like a child and probably behaves like a child.
greeg2
says...
1:30am Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Based on your nom de guerre,I'm sure you're well up to speed with names for perverts yourself !
Trust old pork bloat to know the variety of names for perverts. Most of us think he's a kiddy fiddler so please don't pick names from a dictionary to explain his behaviour. She looks like a child and probably behaves like a child.
sdhgfhfuyt
says...
5:18am Mon 24 Sep 12
Dr Pork
says...
6:24am Mon 24 Sep 12
Ouseler wrote:A valid point, and as a maths teacher he should be aware that the current exchange rate is 1 km to 0.621371192 miles. Now analysts predict that if Greece and Spain were to further default then this rate could swing dramatically in favour the mile making all those European kilometres virtually worthless, especially in a G reg Ford Fiesta.
Sir Micheal Wilshaw the Chief Inspector of Schools said, teachers that went the extra mile would be well paid and receive extra promotions..Perhaps Teacher Forrest misunderstood the 'extra mile' reference.......and French Kilometers certainly weren't mentioned as earning extra wages....
It just doesn't add up.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
6:48am Mon 24 Sep 12
What sort of pervert are you even considering whether this girl is pre pubescent or not. Personally it didn't cross my mind but your grubby mind obviously spent time thinking about this child and having spent years in courts reporting cases it's always men like you coming up with fancy, clever, weasely words to explain away their dirty behaviour.
Now you should stick to posting your right wing rubbish instead of being a pervert's apologist by stating that technically he isn't a paedo.
He is a married man who has taken a child from her parents. Don't use fancy language to excuse the behaviour Porky. You could find the cops seeking you out.
george smith
says...
7:54am Mon 24 Sep 12
Plantpot
says...
8:03am Mon 24 Sep 12
If I were one of this girl's parents I would be absolutely appalled and angry beyond belief. Aside from the sexual aspect, there's the issue of breach of trust.
bluemonday
says...
8:31am Mon 24 Sep 12
PorkBoat wrote:a paedo is a paedo,end of
Just to head off the usual chorus of "Paedophile!!" The man isn't a paeodiphile. Paedophiles are attracted to pre-pubescent children. Ephebophiles are attracted to post-pubescent teenagers under the age of consent.
Crystal Ball
says...
9:32am Mon 24 Sep 12
billy goat-gruff
says...
11:56am Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
12:07pm Mon 24 Sep 12
tooned_in
says...
12:25pm Mon 24 Sep 12
MrHove
says...
12:37pm Mon 24 Sep 12
I hope the teacher see's sense and either hands the girl in to French police or brings her back safely, whilst I do not know the full story behind this we have to remember that the girl is 15 and at 15 you make stupid decisions and are easily influenced.
Dr Pork
says...
12:46pm Mon 24 Sep 12
MrHove wrote:No you're not. I made a dumb comment above and now wish that I hadn't.
Am I the only person who sees the above comments (I would say jokes but jokes are suppose to be funny but these are not) as wrong, a young girl is missing and her parents must be going through hell.
I hope the teacher see's sense and either hands the girl in to French police or brings her back safely, whilst I do not know the full story behind this we have to remember that the girl is 15 and at 15 you make stupid decisions and are easily influenced.
If her parents are reading this then I apologise.
sussexram40
says...
12:48pm Mon 24 Sep 12
tooned_in
says...
12:56pm Mon 24 Sep 12
The fact of the matter is whether they have been intimate of not she is a minor who has been taken out fo the uk and not of an age where leaglly she is allowed to make these kinds of choices...as an educated man the gentleman in question must realise this.
If it is true love then wait a few months till she is 16 and at an age the uk defiines as sexually aware and then tackle the public with your relationship.
Ex_Kiwi
says...
12:57pm Mon 24 Sep 12
http://bit.ly/ourNZe
xperience
http://consumersvoic
enz.com/
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
1:14pm Mon 24 Sep 12
The law states that she is a child as she is under 16.
Do not try to make excuses that this man, who is a teacher and will have undergone CRB checks and have full training in law about children and also general appropriate conduct with children, may have acted properly because the child is a 'sort of adult'.
If you have spent any time with girls of 15, you would know how childish they still are no matter how much make-up they put on and it really is quite revolting any adult can think this is ok. I assume the posters stating that she might be grown up have no dealings with teenage girls.
Her parents must be beside themselves with worry that a man in a position of trust has taken a child away and influencing a young brain with all sort of nonsense.
She is a 15 year old child under the guardisnship of her parents and if he was a responsible adult who thought what he was doing was acceptable and ok, then he would not be on the run.
He is adult enough to know that he should not be taking children away from their parents.
F in L
says...
2:18pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
2:27pm Mon 24 Sep 12
If a child is dressed up to look adult do you think it's fair game for an adult to take it away from its parents?
As I've said, anyone who has any dealings with teenage girls knows how childish they are emotionally and dressing them up like adults still doesn't cover up the fact that they are children.
One can only assume this adult male and those attracted to children of 15, are inadequate with people their own age.
PorkBoat
says...
2:44pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What a sad little man you are.
It's always interesting to see men come onto these stories and start making excuses for perverts behaviour Pork Bloat by stating that technically he isn't a paedophile because she isn't pre pubescent.
What sort of pervert are you even considering whether this girl is pre pubescent or not. Personally it didn't cross my mind but your grubby mind obviously spent time thinking about this child and having spent years in courts reporting cases it's always men like you coming up with fancy, clever, weasely words to explain away their dirty behaviour.
Now you should stick to posting your right wing rubbish instead of being a pervert's apologist by stating that technically he isn't a paedo.
He is a married man who has taken a child from her parents. Don't use fancy language to excuse the behaviour Porky. You could find the cops seeking you out.
gusset snatcher
says...
2:46pm Mon 24 Sep 12
sunnysea
says...
2:50pm Mon 24 Sep 12
2:18pm Mon 24 Sep 12
She certainly does not look like her 13 years of age photo now! See the BBC Website she is .... MATURE beyond her years!
So what? She's bloody 15 years old!!!
F in L
says...
2:52pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:You are aware that the legal age of consent in France is 15? I do not think they will be looking too hard.....or in Austria.....Croatia, Czech Republic, Boznia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Monaco......Poland, Portugal or Spain where it is 15 and in some cases 14.......
So does that make it ok then F and L?
If a child is dressed up to look adult do you think it's fair game for an adult to take it away from its parents?
As I've said, anyone who has any dealings with teenage girls knows how childish they are emotionally and dressing them up like adults still doesn't cover up the fact that they are children.
One can only assume this adult male and those attracted to children of 15, are inadequate with people their own age.
Maybe it is YOU that ought to grow up, She already has!
MuammarQaddafi
says...
3:04pm Mon 24 Sep 12
F in L
says...
3:12pm Mon 24 Sep 12
MuammarQaddafi wrote:PHEW! I am with you on that one!
Thankfully nobody with issues has been posting on here, otherwise it could have turned nasty.
F in L
says...
3:13pm Mon 24 Sep 12
F in L wrote:All it would have taken was for someone to mention he was also a regular cyclist and all hell would have let loose.
MuammarQaddafi wrote:PHEW! I am with you on that one!
Thankfully nobody with issues has been posting on here, otherwise it could have turned nasty.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
3:22pm Mon 24 Sep 12
You call it children being grown up, mothers and fathers call it child abuse as does UK law.
F in L
says...
4:14pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:I am sorry, what is your point? Moving abroad is exactly what this Teacher has done.. I take it you are recommending it as a course of action thus condoning it. Personally, I am disgusted by your blatant promotion of sex tourism.
Well if you want to have relationships with children F&L and you don't wish to uphold UK law, then I suggest you move abroad.
You call it children being grown up, mothers and fathers call it child abuse as does UK law.
lizzy1
says...
4:31pm Mon 24 Sep 12
sussexram40
says...
4:55pm Mon 24 Sep 12
tooned_in
says...
5:20pm Mon 24 Sep 12
hubby
says...
7:36pm Mon 24 Sep 12
ds and teenage stepdaughters often don't mix well for a number of reasons!
Maybe there is another angle to this story?
gusset snatcher
says...
8:07pm Mon 24 Sep 12
hubby
says...
9:34pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Him with a young girl.Getting what he wants
Her with an experienced man.Getting what she wants.
In some cultures that would be seen as normal.
In our culture,she will get all of the sympathy, and he will never work again and do time.
In others she would be stoned to death and he would go scott free.
Just an observation!
Old Ladys Gin
says...
7:53am Tue 25 Sep 12
tooned_in wrote:Teachers educated?
How stupid is this man that he thinks they can just disappear and live happily ever after, for such an educated individual im baffled to understand his logic, he starts by creating an illicit relationship with a minor which is bad enough but now will face charges of abduction or kidnapp or worse? im sure she did agree to go but as a minor is not of an age to make that decision....lets hope she is returned home to her family quickly and mr forrest sees sense and returns to face the music. as a maths teacher he should of weighed up the variables and realised there is no scenario in which he can emerge as victorious.....
I nearly spilled my gin!
F in L
says...
10:59am Tue 25 Sep 12
He was about to be arrested for the relationship so they decided to escape together... to one of the many many Countries in Europe where they have committed no crime at all (Do European girls mature Before ours? hmm)(
Eloping is romantic don't you think!
Good Luck Young Lovers!
BobbyZamoraIsALegend
says...
2:11pm Tue 25 Sep 12
MrHove
says...
4:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Parents send their children to school and expect the teachers to act in morale way and care for the children, this teacher has abused his position and I would suggest that the fact they have run off to France means he is aware of this.
My concern would be that if the school was aware of this then the parents should have been made aware.
From what is being reported It does not appear that she is in danger and probably thinks she is in love, the adult in this (the teacher) needs to see sense and bring her back.
Old Ladys Gin
says...
10:36am Wed 26 Sep 12
But, and it's a big one, I was 23 when I made that decision and had been out in the real world since the age of 15; not in the closetted world of school and home.
Ballroom Blitz
says...
9:29pm Fri 28 Sep 12
If anyone else mistakenly calls him a paedophile I'll have to come round their house to explain how limited their knowledge of the world, and the English language is.
sussexram40 says...
5:57pm Sun 23 Sep 12