08 January 2024 , 07:50
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Alex Batty will today achieve his "biggest dream" as he starts college after going missing for six years.
A criminal investigation has been launched into the teen's abduction, who was found last month in France six years after his mother and grandfather took him on holiday and never returned home, Greater Manchester police said. Both adults were prohibited from being with the boy at the time due to domestic difficulties.
Last month the 17-year-old returned to Oldham and was reunited with his grandmother Susan Caruana — the legal guardian who had made frantic and emotional appeals over the years for his return. He said he wanted a change to the life he was living with his mum and left home, found by a delivery driver near Toulouse who took him to the French authorities.
Alex will now begin his first formal education at an institution since he went missing in Spain in 2017, undergoing assessments at Oldham College before starting a number of different courses. His aim is to go on and study computer science at university.
Alex appearing on GMB with his grandmother (ITV)“Going to college and getting a proper education is my biggest dream. It’s going to feel like the first day of the rest of my life. I am really motivated and want to get cracking and get some qualifications as quickly as I can. I can’t wait to get started,” he told The Sun.
Missing British boy who vanished in Spain 6 years ago found alive in France
During the six years missing, Alex was living in remote villages in Spain and France, and it has been reported he would educate himself by re-reading Harry Potter books and teaching himself maths as best he could.
Meanwhile, Alex has said that he doesn’t want his mum and grandad to face jail over his disappearance. While speaking live on GMB, having also featured in a pre-recorded interview, Alex confessed he did not think he would see his mother or grandfather again. He also shared his plans for the future, including education and his hopes to get a job - while he ruled one career out.
Alex told of how he was looking forward to going to college and reconnecting with his friends. After he had said that he was made to "pick up the slack" as a young teen with jobs including decorating and construction work, he joked that he needed a career change. He appeared on the show with his grandmother Ms Caruana who said: "He's hoping to get a part-time job as well while he's studying."