Jeremy Forrest

[maggiebee]

While I don't condone for a moment the actions of Jeremy Forrest, I do think the sentence is a bit harsh. Five and a half years seems a bit excessive compared with Stuart Hall's 15 months. Maybe it was the "position of trust" which made the difference?

[cabernet]

Not had time to follow story too busy, something about a teacher about having sex with a pupil. I have seen photos , woman friend, good chest mature legs, whats the problem ???.

[Ann]

Do you remember this similar case?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2209106/I-15-I-ran-away-teacher-wasnt-healthy-relationship-A-woman-disappeared-maths-master-reveals-devastating-consequences-affair.html

[emmie]

he got what he deserved, time to think on what he did, think of what the parents went through, and put yourself in their shoes.

[New Judge]

"I have seen photos , woman friend, good chest mature legs, whats the problem ???. "

As you say, cabernet, you have not had time to follow the story. Best wait until you have found the time before asking other people to explain what the problem is.

[Traci66]

In the paper this morning was an article from another girl who is claiming that Forrest was coming on to her when she was thirteen, whether its true or not, who knows?

[Svejk]

What a shower of scantimonious prigs. The age of consent ranges from 12 to 15 in most European countries. As for the ancient and sacred covenant between teacher and pupil. Teachers have dated pupils since time immemorial until a law was passed against it in 2001 by the Labour government. That's right, that labour government, who passed a new law for each and every day of the 13 years they were in power.
You're probably, accidentally, breaking some blasted law or other, of theirs, as you sit there.
I'm not saying he shouldn't have been a stronger man, but he wasn't. What happened to empathy in this country. We seem to have turned into a petty, slavering mob intent on draconian punishment for every transgression. I despair.

[Sqad]

Svejk....LOL

[sara3]

she's 15, and legally below the age to make decisions to want a sexual relationship, especially with a married man, twice her age, and her teacher. he was in a position of trust and knew better but decided to act in his own interests. he deserves what he got.

Stuart Hall's case has been referred to whoever looks at lenient sentences. I hope his sentence is increased.

[FredPuli43]

What law was that, svejk?

Teachers have always been more severely punished in such cases.

[FredPuli43]

A bit of explanation . Under s9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 intercourse with a girl under of 15 is punishable by a maximum of 14 years imprisonment. Under the old law (1956), amazingly, it was only punishable with two years. The offence is now described as sexual activity with a child. Whether the defendant is a teacher or not is entirely irrelevant

What svejk appears to be referring to, about it only being an offence for teachers since 2001 (in fact 2003), is sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, contrary to s16 of the same Act. The section applies to a wide range of people in such a position and places, from hospitals to care homes and, of course, schools. It applies to sexual activity in the form of intentional touching but the maximum penalty is 5 years. If the activity is intercourse the section is not applicable and the offence is charged as the offence, applicable to anybody whether in a position of trust or not, with the higher maximum.

[New Judge]

Thanks for the explanation, Fred. I had thought to explain the situation to Svejk's earlier reference to the 2003 Act but thought better of it.

The age of consent may well be as low as twelve in other countries - that is their affair. In the UK it is sixteen and I for one would not relish the idea of a thirty year old married man slobbering around my twelve year old daughter.

I'd be interested to know how much Svejk would resist the urge to become a sanctimonious prig if it was his vulnerable 15 year old daughter who had been seduced and abducted by her thirty year old teacher, leaving him with no idea whether she was dead or alive and with no idea of her wherabouts.

Simply "dating" by her teacher? I think not.

[ludwig]

// I'd be interested to know how much Svejk would resist the urge to become a sanctimonious prig if it was his vulnerable 15 year old daughter //

He'd obviously be relaxed about the situation. Unless it's just other people's 15 yr old daughters that it's ok for 30 yr old married teachers to have sex with.

[Svejk]

Quite right, chaps. I haven't got a 15 year old daughter.
In future I'll try and stick to threads that only affect me personally. Sorry.