Here is a timeline of the key developments in the search for teacher Jeremy Forrest, of Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood, and one of his pupils.

February 2012: During a half-term school trip to Los Angeles, rumours surface after the girl and Forrest are spotted holding hands on a flight.

Spring 2012: Tweets, including private messages, are exchanged between the pair, and they became more flirtatious.

Forrest and the girl are spoken to by the school but both deny anything inappropriate.

September 19, 2012: Police and a social worker visit the girl's home amid continuing rumours of a relationship and pictures being exchanged between them. She denies everything.

September 20, 2012: The girl asks her mother if she can stay overnight at a friend's house. Fearing their relationship was about to be exposed, Forrest books them on a cross-Channel ferry. They arrive in Calais in the middle of the night and later head to Paris before moving on to Bordeaux.

September 21: The girl is reported to police as missing after failing to arrive at school. Forrest's wife, Emily, is contacted by police as he's absent from school, too.

September 22: The girl's family appeals for her to get in touch, saying: "We are worried and miss her terribly."

September 23: Sources say that the man is teacher Jeremy Forrest, 30, who teaches at Bishop Bell C of E School in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Chief Inspector Jason Tingley describes police as being at a "critical stage of the investigation" as the girl's family and friends make appeals on social networking websites. Officers urge Forrest or the girl to get in touch. The two are possibly expected home with return ferry tickets but they are not used.

September 24: Details emerge of a blog apparently written by Forrest four months earlier under his music stage name, Jeremy Ayre, writing about a "moral dilemma" in a posting headed: "You hit me just like heroin..."

Terry Boatwright, executive headteacher at Forrest's school, says: "The whole school community is deeply concerned ... and shocked by what has happened."

The girl's mother appeals to her directly, saying: "Sweetheart, I don't care what you've done or why, I just want you home.''

And Chief Inspector Tingley told Forrest to: "Do the right thing and make contact with us." The press conference is translated into French to aid the European search.

Interpol, the UK Border Agency, the British Embassy in France and the French authorities are all working to help trace the youngster.

September 25: A European Arrest Warrant is issued for Forrest for child abduction.

September 26: The Europe-wide search has no new sightings of the pair.

September 27: Forrest's tearful parents, Jim and Julie Forrest, appeal directly to their son to get in touch, saying: "We are all here for you both. Please, please get in contact." BBC's Crimewatch programme features an appeal.

September 28: Possible sightings of the teacher and the girl in Paris. Sussex Police confirm they have had seven reported sightings after the Crimewatch programme.

12.15pm: Sussex Police confirm the girl has been found, and Forrest arrested at the same time. Both are "safe and well".

October 10: Forrest is extradited to the UK and charged with child abduction by Sussex Police later the same evening.

January 25, 2013: Appearing at Lewes Crown Court via videolink from HMP Lewes, Forrest pleads not guilty to child abduction.

June 10: Forrest stands trial at Lewes Crown Court.

June 20: Forrest is convicted of child abduction.

Today: Forrest is set to be sentenced this morning.