Alex Batty's heartfelt message to mum as he admits she's 'not a great parent'

21 December 2023 , 23:17

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Alex Batty with his mother and grandfather (Image: Pixel8000)

Alex Batty has told how his mother was a “great person” but not a good mum following his return to the UK.

The 17-year-old is now back at home in Oldham after having disappeared six years ago with his mother and grandfather while on holiday in Spain. Alex had been reportedly living an itinerant lifestyle until he was dramatically found by a delivery driver while walking in southern France and he went to local authorities.

A police investigation into the circumstances of his disappearance is ongoing while he is being cared for by his grandmother Susan Caruana in Greater Manchester. The whereabouts of his mother Melanie Batty and grandad David Batty is unknown. Now talking about his mum Alex he said that he ended up leaving rented home in the French Pyrenees where they were staying after having an argument.

Speaking The Sun he said if he his mum was watching this his message could be "I love 'em, tell them I'm sorry for leaving". He added that he would want his mum to know he is healthy and safe. Alex also spoke of his reason why he left and trekked 22 miles over two days before he was found by the delivery driver. He added to The Sun: “I just thought I’m gonna leave because I can’t live with her. She’s a great person and I love her but she’s just not a great mum."

It comes as people living in a tiny French village have been left in shock after finding out Alex had been living among them. A French deputy prosecutor said it's believed he spent two of the six years he was missing in France, first staying in Camps-sur-l'Agly which has just a few dozen people living there, the Mirror reports. Residents in the mountainous village in the foothills of the Pyrenees knew Alex as 'Zach' and had 'no idea' who he really was.

Missing British boy who vanished in Spain 6 years ago found alive in France

Frederic Hambye and Ingrid Beauve - two Belgian nationals who own the La Bastide guesthouse - said Alex first stayed with them in late 2021 and 'liked to cook'. He was supposed to stay without his mum Melanie Batty for several days or weeks, contributing to the converted farm's maintenance in exchange for bed and board.

He then stayed again for several periods of varying lengths. Speaking to AFP, Camps-sur-l'Agly resident and local councillor Roger Vales, 79, said: "We had no idea. They were nice people. The boy, when we drove past, we'd see him and say hello. And the grandpa, we'd often spot him working, fixing up walls."

Tim Hanlon