Alex Batty reunites with his family in the UK after going missing six years ago
British teenager Alex Batty has been reunited with his family and brought back to the UK, after being missing for more than six years.
The now-17-year-old was reunited with family at Toulouse airport, before being returned to the UK earlier this weekend, police have confirmed. It is now thought he will now spend Christmas with his legal guardian, grandmother Susan Caruana.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), told reporters at the force's headquarters: "It gives me great pleasure to say Alex has now made his safe return back to the UK after six years.
"Earlier today, Alex met with a family member alongside Greater Manchester Police officers at Toulouse airport before heading back to the UK. This moment was undoubtedly huge for him and his loved ones, and we are glad that they have been able to see each other again after all this time."
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle giving a press conference as Alex returned to the UK this weekend (PA)Alex was reported missing in 2017 aged 11 when he went on a pre-planned holiday to Marbella, Spain, with mum Melanie Batty and grandfather, David Batty. French prosecutors said in a news conference on Friday that he was then taken to live in a "spiritual community", living in Morocco and later the Pyrenees.
Missing British boy who vanished in Spain 6 years ago found alive in France
The teenager was discovered on Wednesday on a rural road near Quillan, France, where he was picked up by part-time delivery driver Fabien Accidini. Student Mr Accidini was delivering medicines to a pharmacy at the time and offered Alex a lift, before discovering his real identity.
Susan Caruana, Alex's gran (CHRIS NEILL)Police have yet to establish whether a criminal investigation will be opened into the disappearance of the teenager. Speaking at GMP’s headquarters, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle added: "Speaking with him [Alex] at a pace that feels comfortable to him will ultimately determine how this case is progressed, and whether there is a criminal investigation to ensue.
"Our continued focus is supporting Alex and his family, in partnership with other local agencies – to ensure that they are safe, their wellbeing is looked after, and his re-integration with society is as easy as possible.
French student Fabien Accidini who found Alex (AFP via Getty Images)“We are yet to fully establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, but no matter what, we understand that this may be an overwhelming process. He may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person."
Ms Caruana, 68, told the Mirror it was "unbelievable" to see and hear Alex during a video call on Thursday night - the first direct interaction she'd had with her grandson in more than six years. She said: "It was absolutely like a dream when I heard his voice. It was unbelievable."
Greater Manchester Police will not comment "at this time" on what Alex was doing while abroad, as the force has not yet received a statement from the teenager. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle told reporters that the force was aware that French authorities disclosed detailed information during a press conference yesterday, but that GMP were yet to take a statement from Alex, so could not comment presently.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
