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Original poster

Jeremy Forrest on trial

159 replies

PatPig · 11/06/2013 22:12

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339495/Jeremy-Forrest-ran-away-France-schoolgirl-secret-relationship-exposed.html

Slightly absurdly, his 15-year-old girlfriend, all over the newspapers at the time, is no longer allowed to be named.

OP posts:
Slavetominidictator · 13/06/2013 23:06

That was certainly the case on my PGCE course. The work, although arduous, was not difficult and no one failed, despite several characters I would not want to teach my dc. I don't know how you would devise a test for whichever character traits make someone think a relationship with a teenager is a good idea.

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 14/06/2013 13:14

Afternoon. Please can we remind you that this trial is still in progress and no one has yet been found guilty (or not guilty) of any offence in connection with this trial.

Any post that suggests guilt may well be deleted - as may other posts that could be prejudicial to a fair trial.

Thanks v much.

Dominodonkey · 14/06/2013 14:17

patpig I am not sure she is testifying. Everything I have heard she has said was from interviews she had with the police after she came back from France.

And I agree with JRY she appeared to have an awful lot of freedom for a 14/15 year old. The mother must have been very strange to let her stay with a friend the night after the police had visited and seized her phone.

Original poster
PatPig · 14/06/2013 14:35

As I understand it, she was brought up by her step-father (she carries his surname), but at the time this occurred the step-father and her mother were estranged; subsequently there was this alsowww.express.co.uk/news/uk/363668/Runaway-teen-s-parents-suicide-bid

The current case, which I linked to above, has the girl going off with the 36-year-old man, she having just been taken into care 3 days previously.

Having a difficult home life can make escapes with unsuitable men seem more appealing.

OP posts:
YoniRanger · 14/06/2013 16:54

My message was rightly deleted however I would like to restate the point minus the presumption of guilt.

If indeed these events occurred the child in question was not a 'girlfriend' she was a victim of sexual abuse.

Language is important.

LilyAmaryllis · 14/06/2013 21:47

I guess mine was rightly deleted too, but my point was that until now I didn't know that at the time of the alleged whatever, he was in his first year of a marriage. I found that very surprising and really feel for his ex?-wife.

Original poster
PatPig · 17/06/2013 18:20

Well it seems that she is testifying in person (didn't want to do a video link).

And basically she is testifying to say that he was her knight in shining armour and it was all her fault/his idea:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2343148/Jeremy-Forrest-Schoolgirl-fled-France-married-teacher-sex-times-night.html

OP posts:
Original poster
PatPig · 17/06/2013 18:21

Sorry, her fault, her idea.

OP posts:
EasterHoliday · 17/06/2013 18:25

I imagine she was subpoena'd and required to testify, which would explain her rather supportive remarks about him!

bico · 17/06/2013 18:28

It was widely publicised at the time that he hadn't been married long (his poor wife). It seems that the school girl is testifying in the hope of assisting his case. She's 16 now and I imagine there will be a further news story once this trial has finished.

Original poster
PatPig · 17/06/2013 18:32

I didn't think witnesses could be required to testify.

I think he had been married about 15 months. I remember looking at his wife's very pretty wedding photos done on Brighton pier. She took them down sharpish, but not sharp enough, because they are all over the web now. Her photography website is down still.

OP posts:
bico · 17/06/2013 19:37

Of course witnesses can be required to testify. They don't have to say anything though.

Catlike · 18/06/2013 18:15

And basically she is testifying to say that he was her knight in shining armour and it was all her fault/his idea:

Eurgh that DM article is grim. Was there really any need for them to go into detail about the number of times Forrest and the girl had sex when they were meeting? And for them to mention that she was wearing her school uniform the first time and then go on to describe each item of the uniform as if they were trying to create a visual picture for the readers? I honestly can't quite believe that Shock

Agree with you though Patpig, it does seem very like she's deliberately taking the "blame" in order to shield him. Yuck.

Original poster
PatPig · 18/06/2013 18:16

So his wife is being embarrassed today:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2343869/Married-teacher-ran-France-pupil-15-phoned-mother-help-quash-affair-rumours.html

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thesmallestpotato · 18/06/2013 18:36

His poor wife, the first time she's seen him since he disappeared, I feel so sorry for her, what a horrible mess.

One thing I don't understand is why he has only been charged with child abduction?

flippinada · 18/06/2013 19:32

I see my previous posts were deleted - for very good reasons!

My take on the 'it was my fault' line is that it's a rather sad way of trying to take responsibility.

I read somewhere (will see if I can find it) that he actually had a conversation with the girls mum and said effectively that the girl was a liar and a 'pain' and she ended up apologising for her daughters behaviour.

I see his wife was crying while giving evidence today

I'll refrain from posting my opinion on his character. We'll see what happens.

BeauNidle · 18/06/2013 19:39

Poor wife.

The 15 year old girl in question is clearly still besotted with him. Appaz keeps smiling at him and not testifying behind a screen

TheFallenNinja · 18/06/2013 19:46

It's a whole sad sorry mess for sure with all kinds of legal and moral questions.

Whatever the verdict there are many ruined lives as a result.

Sad stuff

flippinada · 18/06/2013 19:48

She appears to be a very troubled girl (from the details that have come out).

Is it ok to make an observation that he looks quite startlingly unattractive? Please feel free to delete if so.

flippinada · 18/06/2013 19:49

"It's a whole sad sorry mess for sure with all kinds of legal and moral questions.

Whatever the verdict there are many ruined lives as a result.

Sad stuff"

Yes, absolutely. Very sad indeed.

thesmallestpotato · 18/06/2013 20:31

Why is his wife allowed to be named though? The mother of the girl isn't allowed to be named so I'm not sure why his wife can be, and her face on the front page for all to see, how totally humiliating for her, and is she in the same room as the girl too? I read in that article that apparently Forrest and the girl were smiling at each other across the court room, I hope his wife didn't have to see that Sad

If we are allowed to comment on his appearance, he's not looking too good at all is he, very gaunt, where do they keep people who are awaiting trial?

Catlike · 18/06/2013 20:35

Is it ok to make an observation that he looks quite startlingly unattractive?

He is very weaselly looking. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years time, this girl will feel disgust that she ever let him near her.

TheCrackFox · 18/06/2013 20:42

He is quite plain looking.

His poor wife, this must be very difficult for her.

If he is found guilty and sent to prison for a couple of years I can't imagine that the teenager in question will be waiting for him. She will have grown out of her infatuation by then.

FatimaLovesBread · 18/06/2013 20:43

His wife is named because he is named. If the girls mother was named it would be pretty obvious who the girl is

flippinada · 18/06/2013 21:02

"He is very weaselly looking"

Yes, that's what I was thinking before but couldn't find the word. Weaselly. Although weasels, dare I say it, are more photogenic.

The mother isn't allowed to be named because it would identify the girl.

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