Tears of wife in runaway teacher trial

The wife of a maths teacher accused of abducting a schoolgirl to France left the witness box in tears as she gave evidence in his trial.

Emily Forrest was allowed to take a break after sobbing at the “distracting” sight of estranged husband Jeremy in the dock.

Continuing her testimony from behind a screen, the 32-year-old told how their marriage broke down in the run-up to Forrest’s disappearance with his 15-year-old pupil, who cannot be named.

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She told Lewes Crown Court he was drinking a lot and staying out at night without telling her where. He was also “distant and constantly on his mobile phone”.

Mrs Forrest said she had told him to stop sending messages to pupils on Twitter, including the girl. She said she “didn’t think there was anything in it” but warned him it was inappropriate.

She also described the couple’s last meal out together, on September 19 last year. When they got home he tucked her into bed and told her he loved her, she recalled.

The next day, Forrest boarded a ferry from Dover to Calais with the pupil before spending seven days on the run in France.

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The girl was 15 when she and Forrest, 30, started a sexual relationship, the court has heard.

The pair disappeared, fearing their romance would be exposed after police were alerted to rumours at Bishop Bell C of E School in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Forrest, of Petts Wood, Kent, denies child abduction.

The trial continues.