A paedophile teacher who infamously fled to France with a 15-year-old girl has lost his job at a Kent bakery after “shocked” bosses found out about his past.

Jeremy Forrest, who sparked an international manhunt and was later jailed after abducting the teenager in 2012, had since reinvented himself as an artisan baker in Canterbury.

But history caught up with him this week after national newspapers revealed he was working under a different name at the popular Gilda Bakery in the village of Bishopsbourne.

The firm’s founder and director, Jon Warren, says he has since terminated the contract of Forrest, who now goes by the surname Bounocore.

“We are aware of the news recently published in the press regarding one of our staff members,” he said in a statement shared online and later deleted.

“Since learning of the sensitive nature of this employee's history, it was mutually agreed that it was in the best interest of Gilda that his employment was terminated with immediate effect.

“We are a close-knit team and this has come as a shock to the whole Gilda family.”

A now-removed biography of Forrest on the bakery’s website had made no mention of his teaching past, instead saying he had “spent most of his working life at his family bakery”.

“He is proudly a 5th generation baker, learning everything he knows from the experienced bakers that have passed down their tried and tested methods,” it continued.

“Jeremy joined the Gilda team in May 2022. He was promoted to Head Baker thanks to his extraordinary passion for sourdough, hard work and commitment. He never stops learning about the process, care and attention that goes into making the perfect loaf.

“Jeremy loves his dogs and a sing-song - he plays guitar and lead vocals in a band that regularly gigs!”

Forrest made international headlines in 2012 as the hunt for him and his victim extended across the Channel.

The UK search was ended after CCTV footage was released of the pair on a ferry from Dover to Calais

The married teacher, then aged 30, was later recognised by a barman in Bordeaux, France, when he applied for a job.

He was convicted of child abduction and five counts of sexual activity with a child, and the following year was jailed for five-and-a-half years at Lewes Crown Court.

Forrest, who had to sign the sex offenders register for life, was released from prison after serving half his sentence.

Gilda Bakery has been approached for further comment.