Wife Divorces Jailed Teacher Jeremy Forrest

Wife Divorces Jailed Teacher Jeremy Forrest
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Teacher Jeremy Forrest who was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court in Lewes, East Sussex, of abducting a 15-year-old girl who he took to France when their sexual affair was about to be exposed, is led from court after Judge Michael Lawson QC adjourned the case for sentencing tomorrow at 11.45am.

Jeremy Forrest, the teacher jailed after fleeing to France with a 15-year-old pupil, has been divorced by the wife he cheated on.

The 31-year-old split with former spouse Emily, 32. Court papers say they have separated because of his 'unreasonable behaviour'.

Their marital home has also been sold, with the proceeds divided between them.

Forrest sparked an international manhunt in 2012 when he absconded with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after striking up a relationship with her while he was a teacher at Bishop Bell School in Sussex.

The pair were eventually tracked to Bordeaux and he was arrested after the manager of a bar he had visited while seeking a new job recognised him and contacted police.

During his trial his then wife said the marriage had been in trouble when her husband left and that their relationship 'wasn't great'.

Forrest is serving a five-and-a-half years jail sentence after he was convicted of child abduction and five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Emily lived with Forrest in a £250,000 cottage in Ringmer, near Lewes, Sussex. She successfully applied for a decree nisi at Christmas and the marriage will be annulled within days.

A close family friend told the Daily Express: "Jeremy and his family are glad to have closed this chapter. This has been going on behind the scenes for more than a year so it's a relief to all concerned – he can finally put the marriage behind him and look to the future."