Megan Stammers: Runaway schoolgirl found with teacher in France

Missing Megan Stammers has spoken to her parents on the phone after being found with her teacher in France.The 15-year-old, who had been on the run for eight days with Jeremy Forrest, is expected to be reunited with her family in the next 24 hours.

Her stepdad Martin Stammers said this afteroon: "We just can't wait to be reunited with her. Our family are overjoyed at the outcome. As you can imagine it's been an absolute emotional rollercoaster."




Maths teacher Jeremy Forrest, 30, is in custody in France after being arrested on suspicion of child abduction.  Forrest was expected to appear before a French court on Tuesday.

Police swooped on the pair at lunchtime as they walked through Bordeaux.

They were spotted in the town yesterday by a member of the public who recognised Forrest from television coverage, chief inspector Jason Tingley from Sussex Police said at a press conference.

It was the third potential sighting of the pair in the city, and they were tracked down shortly after midday.

Mr Tingley said: "Megan is now in the care of British consular staff and Sussex Police child protection team officers. She will be returned to the UK to be with her family.

"Jeremy is in custody in Bordeaux after his arrest and the process of his extradition will now commence."

Megan, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was reported missing when she failed to turn up for school last Friday, and it emerged that she had travelled with Forrest to France the previous evening, sparking a highly publicised search.

Forrest's parents Jim and Julie Forrest said in a statement: "We are pleased that Megan and Jeremy have been found safe and well. This has been an ordeal for all the families concerned.

"We would like to thank Sussex and the French police as well as the British media for their assistance.

"We are relieved that the search is finally over and everyone can now focus on a safe and secure return for them both."