'Runaway' teacher appears in court

Teacher Jeremy Forrest has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with abducting one of his pupils.

Forrest, 30, made his appearance at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court in East Sussex less than 24 hours after being extradited to Britain.

He was charged with child abduction by Sussex Police after spending eight days in France with the pupil last month, triggering a highly-publicised Europe-wide search.

A European Arrest Warrant was issued for the married teacher and he and the pupil, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were eventually found in Bordeaux on September 28 after he was recognised from media coverage.

Scotland-born amateur musician Forrest, of Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood, south east London, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address in court.

Dressed in a grey jumper and with black hair swept to one side, he was brought from the cells in handcuffs by two dock officers.

He sat and listened intently as no bail application was made by his solicitor, Phil Smith.

Forrest was remanded in custody by magistrate Nick Letherby and will reappear in the same court via video-link on October 17.