Petts Wood teacher Jeremy Forrest in court over child abduction - update (From News Shopper)

Petts Wood teacher Jeremy Forrest in court over child abduction - update

11:30am Monday 3rd December 2012 in Bromley © Press Association and news reporter

A TEACHER from Petts Wood accused of abducting a teenage girl has had his case committed to a crown court.

Jeremy Forrest, a teacher at Bishop Bell C of E School in Eastbourne, East Sussex, appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court via videolink from HMP Lewes.

The Scots-born 30-year-old was arrested by police in Bordeaux in France on September 28 following the issuing of a European Arrest Warrant.

After extradition to Britain, Forrest was charged by Sussex Police on October 10 with abducting a child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Shaven-headed Forrest, dressed in a patterned jumper, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, and listened from a prison room as the next hearing of his case was listed at Lewes Crown Court on January 11.

His solicitor Phil Smith made no application for bail during the seven-minute hearing, and there was no indication of plea.

Chairman of the bench Chris Bell further remanded Forrest, of Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood, into custody.