Jeremy Forrest verdict - aibu to be confused?

[noddyboulder]

Yep, I don't think even his own parents could deny he's a massive, hideous scumbag with no impulse control - but how can he have been found guilty of abduction when the girl he had an affair with said it was her idea to go to France and she went willingly?

Can somebody legal shed some light?

Was the sentence too harsh? Well, yes and no.

Yes, because the first UK google news hit for 'rapist sentenced' is:
www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/crime/west-cumbrian-rapist-sentenced-to-12-years-in-prison-1.1063710
12 years for offences "including seven counts of raping a teenage girl". He'll be out in six years.

That's the typical sort of tarriff our judiciary work to. Unbelievably lenient.

Set aside the outageously light sentences dished out evey day in the UK, and this particular sentence was probably about right. 5 and a half years, so he'll serve 2 and 3/4. Sounds about right to me.

Will the school girl get counselling or something to help her understand the inappropriateness of this relationship? My concern (not that this individual case in any of my business really, but in broader terms) is that he is, obviously, no longer a teacher, the student will be 16 before long and legally nothing with stop them being together/her waiting for him.

She's already suppose to have made comment saying she'll wait for him etc.

Sentencing guidelines for Child Abduction

Sentencing guidelines for Sexual Activity with a child (youth)

So each offence is outlined, with aggravating and mitigating factors considered. This gives a range of sentencing options for the judge.

Berts Your story is heartbreaking :(

I am so sorry, berts

All the stupid apologists should hang their head in shame after your post

I think you will be quietly changing some mindsets though, even if they don't openly admit it

imnotmymum Yes, with hindsight and experience I can say that. I went though exactly what she went through, I have spoken to other women who've been through the same thing, and I know the damage it's going to cause her.

Wild horses wouldn't have dragged me away either. That's why the onus is on the ADULT who does have EXPERIENCE to behave appropriately.

5.5 years, out in two sounds about right, considering he took her out of the country on a false passport, both serious criminal offences.

That, and he put her in a situation where she was under so much pressure she wanted to kill herself.

He wasn't just 'stupid'. He didn't just 'make a mistake'. Cutting yourself shaving is a mistake. Hitting send to the wrong person on a text is a mistake.

Developing an inappropriate relationship with a 14 year old girl, gradually pushing the boundaries until she gives in takes planning and sustained action over a lengthy period of time.

And funnily enough, the judge and jury - who, let's remember have heard ALL the evidence and testimony - agree with me.

I'm not even responding to that.

Even in France, where, as you say the legal age is younger kitty it's still illegal for a teacher to have a sexual relationship with a pupil.

imnotmymum, have you had a frontal lobotomy or something ?

Berts, sorry that you've had to share that story. Sorry that it was your story to share

He's been issued with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, banning him from unsupervised contact, volunteering or working with, with children for life. Does that mean that if he has children he will have Social Services involvement/restrictions?

No actually I have not. For what it is worth I started a relationship at 15 with someone 28 went on to marry him then divorced him as I realised I was stupid and not what I wanted. I am fine that is all had a great life great relationships and very happily married. Let us not presume this girl will be mentally scarred some are realists and deal with things some do not

It is believed the capacity for empathy is located in the frontal lobe

Just saying

Was he in a position of trust? Did he have authority over you?

The whole point is that this girl was not in a position to make a free choice.

I agree with you too Berts. :( Sad to say it is only too likely that this girl will feel exactly the same as you in the future.

They're not star-crossed lovers - romantic as that may seem to a teenage girl with a crush. She's a troubled girl and he took advantage of this. She was preyed on by her teacher who SHOULD have known better. Teachers and adults are meant to know better.

AS a young girl I had a crush on an older man (not even a teacher, a friend of my father)- he could've taken advantage of that too, but he didn't. Thank god.

imnotmymum - so glad you're a 'realist' who can 'deal with things' - implying that I'm just a giant flake who feels sorry for herself, I guess.

Did your relationship happen with a teacher? Were you already having mental health and home problems that he was aware of? Were you placed under massive pressure and bullying as a result of the relationship? Were you exposed to massive humiliation in the mass media?

If the answer to the above is all 'no', then your situation was almost nothing like this girls, or mine (except, thankfully, mine didn't involve the public examination).

Berts - good post. Am sorry you have learnt that shitty lesson.

I too imagined a 15 year old who was so far in could not turn around and say "shit this isn't right for me". Because if it wasn't for love then what was it.

What the hell is wrong with hindsight? And this is why at 15 kids can't vote, leave school etc. because they are children and need adult protection and guidance.

I'm just disappointed with views like yours imnotmymum

Disgusted, disappointed but actually, not surprised.

I often spend too much time asking myself how so many people like you can exist and then I remember that there are also so many well balanced, reasonable people too.

for you Berts

Also for all the well balanced, reasonable people who maintain my sanity when we're up against such ignorance.

I believe sociopaths have no empathy either, AF.

imnotmymum was he your teacher and did he abuse his position of power to develop a relationship with you.

And yes, 5.5 years is a decent sentence.

Of course she was in a position to make a free choice. Empathy to who? Berts yes I am sorry she has been affected by her ordeal but empathy to the girl in question yes if she needs it but all I was saying we are all different and we cannot presume that her life will be ruined for this. That is all. As emotions in general are placed in the frontal lobe I can safely say all in tact.

Social services will be involved in any future children he may have, yes.

Thanks Feegle, AF and the many other posters who have been sympathetic. Every time something like this comes up in the news, I say I will stay off MN, but I just start obsessing. I'm going to stay off now, and go do something nice and constructive.

Like Berts showed and the judge in this case intimated : the relationship was pushed forward by the mature powerful men. Otherwise it would have petered out and just have been a crush. Ergo they took advantage.

Thank you for posting Berts