A Lesson Not Learnt

[vernonk]

Jeremy Forrest mouthing I LOVE YOU in court to the underage pupil he had an affair and absconded to France with shows he either doesn't appreciate what he's done wrong or doesn't care. So IMO he deserves a very long sentence until at the very least he gets it into his thick head why such a relationship is wrong. The fact that the girl apparently responded the same way, also apologising and pledging to wait til he's free is not such a concern as she is an infatuated child. By the time Forrest gets out she may well have moved on, though if she is allowed to visit him in jail that will perpetuate an illicit romance for the Media. I've also been disturbed by glowing references Forrests fellow teachers gave to help his case, which surely condone his actions and therefore also make those teachers unsuitable for their jobs. Surely Forrest should never be allowed anywhere near a school again. what do you think?

[daffy654]

If his 'thing' is for young girls in uniform then by the time he gets out this particular girl will be too old for him.

He should never be allowed to teach again when he gets out.

[naomi24]

This is sad. I don't think that by giving him glowing references his colleagues have condoned his actions - they're just speaking as they find. Had he not been in a position of trust, his crime would have been viewed less seriously - but he was - and that is the crux of the matter. He's been a very silly man.

[vernonk]

Silly is a serious understatement on his actions. Forrest just doesn't 'get' what he's done wrong and continues to do wrong.

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry I agree with Naomi

This wasn't some sort of paedaphile abusive relationship

The age is less of an issue than his position as a teacher

You seem to be making the assumption that she's an infatuated child (on what her age??)

In my experience as a father there is a huge range of emotional maturity in girls of that age - some are hardly grown out of my little pony and some are really mature and capable of making their own decisions - I wouldn't like to jump to conclusions on her based on media reports

[rockyracoon]

I also agree with Noami, it's a trust issue, he was a teacher and should have respected boundaries. The very fact that they still seem to be in love could prove that it's not a childish infatuation, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if they were married as soon as he gets out of the clink.

[Svejk]

You have a rather condescending attitude to 15yr old girls. I wonder what Sharingen makes of this case.

[Svejk]

That was to the OP, in case there was any doubt.

[meglet]

I have a deal of sympathy for their position. As I understand it the only crime he was charged with was one count of child abduction and, given the circumstances being that this was "statutory" due to her age as she went willingly, I think (hope) the sentence will be on the low side of the scale.

I think he has been unfairly branded a paedophile by some - she is not and doesn't look like a child. He knows he's done wrong and expects to be punished which is, I think, why he never applied for bail. He knows he will get jail time and so started it as soon as he could so that it would come off his tariff and he would be out sooner. Given this, and the fact that his sentence may not be too long, I think he'll be out a lot sooner than you expect Vernon.

[mikey4444]

This chap has obviously committed a crime, of that there is no doubt. Teachers are in a position of extreme trust and he has behaved very unwisely indeed. No matter how grown up a 15 year old girl look, she is still 15. Its obvious that he can never teach again.

I shall probably get into trouble with the AB Sisters here but she was hardly dragged kicking and screaming on to that cross channel ferry was she ?

But any mention of paedophilia is surely out of order. Isn't this even a tiny bit "Romeo and Juliet" ?

[Octavius]

I suspect that the glowing references may also have been a smokescreen to cover up the fact that it appears many people in the school had suspicions and rumours were rife that they were more than just teacher/pupil- yet nobody reported or did anything to prevent it. He was grooming herfor a while so very predatory.

[Mosaic]

...a touch of the Nate Haskell's, for all you CSI fans.

[Svejk]

First salvoes in the inevitable compensation case?

[sandyRoe]

What are the maximum and minimum sentences a court could hand down in a case like this?

[Sqad]

mikey

\\\I shall probably get into trouble with the AB Sisters here but she was hardly dragged kicking and screaming on to that cross channel ferry was she ? \\

Yes, he has committed a crime, a human failing endowed to all of us at birth and he has been judged on this and rightly so.

But to be banned from teaching for the rest of his life....is a bit of over -reaction in my opinion.

[Octavius]

sqad, by virtue of enhanced crb checks, he won't get a job anywhere near children. I certainly wouldn't want him near my teenage daughters.

[sandyRoe]

Could he find employment at a boys school? He'd be safe from temptation there.

[RATTER15]

Sandy, "He'd be safe from temptation there." are you sure?

[whiskeryron]

Ok he's a teacher & should know better but what if the young lady did all the pushing & he fell for her charms, it wouldn't be the first time that situation has happened. He made a mistake should his whole career now be ruined ? Let him serve his time & then put this behind him. ( stands back & waits for all the brickbats )

WR.

[sandyRoe]

He's not a priest, after all. :-)

[Sqad]

WR.......quite.