BORDEAUX (AFP) – A British schoolgirl and her maths teacher, who triggered a Europe-wide hunt after running away together, have been found in Bordeaux, France, police said on Friday.
The teacher, Jeremy Forrest, 30, was arrested and placed in custody, while Megan Stammers, 15, was under police protection, they said.
"The couple were found on a public street in the centre of Bordeaux," a spokesman said, adding that Stammers was "in good health".
The pair had not been seen since being filmed boarding a cross-Channel ferry together on September 20.
Their parents had appealed for them to get in touch but had played down fears that the schoolgirl could be in any danger.
A European Arrest Warrant had been issued for Forrest, a married part-time musician who had reportedly begun an affair with his pupil.
The warrant was issued on the basis of a suspected offence of child abduction although there was never any suggestion that Stammers had not left voluntarily.
Police in Susintercourse, the area of southeastern England where the couple lived, said that they had both been found safe and well as a result of coverage in the French media.
French authorities had been accused by the British media of failing to take the disappearance of Stammers seriously after some judicial officials were quoted as saying the couple were not being actively looked for.
Under French law, a 15-year-old is not considered a minor in intercourseual terms, unlike in Britain, where the age of consent is 16.
Forrest could however be deemed to have committed a crime in France if he is found to have abused the position of authority he had as Stammers' teacher.
Vanguard Nigeria
Imagine a 30 year old eloping with a 15 year old all in the name of love, he'll surely face the music for child abuse.
Glory be to God they were found at last.
That is the best news i've seen today.
It would have been disastrous