THE family of a teacher who abducted his former pupil and took her to France say his victim has written to him in prison.

Jeremy Forrest, 30, was jailed for five-and-a-half years on Friday for taking the then 15-year-old pupil to France after their affair became public.

Forrest, of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, was also found guilty of five counts of having sex with a child at Lewes Crown Court.

His sister, Carrie Hanspaul, 33, had reportedly told his parents he was in love with his former pupil and they both wanted to get married.. The pupil, now 16, is alleged to have described him as "wonderful" in a letter to Forrest's parents.

It is claimed she apologised to Forrest's parents, Julie and Jim, for "any upset" and thanked them for showing support to both her and Forrest. In the letter, she said: "I think you should know my feelings toward Jeremy have been made very clear to my mum and as much as she tries she cannot change this.

"I can't emphasise enough how everything I feel towards Jeremy is – more than anything – serious - he is wonderful.

"When Jeremy comes home the main concern will be making sure he is able to cope and adjust to living in the outside world again."

Mrs Hanspaul described her brother as immature rather than a paedophile.

She said: "He's never seemed his age."