Alex Batty: Oldham boy 'glad to be home for Christmas'

Alex returned to the UK on Sunday (December 17) after he was spotted by a delivery driver near Toulouse in France a few days before.

The schoolboy, who was 11 when he was last in the UK, had not been seen in six years after going on holiday with his mother and grandfather to Spain in 2017 and never returning.

On Monday, he was said to have told reporters that he was "glad to be home for Christmas" upon his return home, according to reports in several British newspapers.

Alex went missing in October 2017 (Image: GMP/PA)

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In September 2017, Alex went on a pre-planned holiday with his mother, Melanie Batty, and his grandfather, David Batty, to Spain.

However, the trio did not return back to the UK in October, and Alex was declared a missing person.

His grandmother and legal guardian, Susan Caruana, made multiple public appeals and explained she believed her ex-husband and daughter had taken Alex to live an "alternative lifestyle" where he would not attend normal schooling.

Six years after his disappearance, Alex was spotted by a delivery driver in southern France on Wednesday, December 13, who took Alex to a police station.

He had left the community he was living in and walked for four days and four nights before the driver, Fabien Accidini, spotted him.

There, authorities confirmed Alex's identity and details about his experience over the six years began to emerge.

Alex spent time in Spain and France, where he lived in communities around the Pyrenees mountains.

For a period of the time when he was missing, Alex had reportedly been living in an isolated farmhouse in the Pyrenees mountains.

According to a couple who say Alex stayed with them, they knew him as Zach and he came to stay in a remote part of the French countryside with his mother and grandfather in 2021.

French couple Frederic Hambye and Ingrid Beauve said Alex worked at their bed and breakfast in exchange for accommodation and food.

The couple said Alex was keen to enrol in school and return to a normal life, but he was unable to do so as he did not have an ID.

Prosecutors in France have said they believe Alex's grandfather died around six months ago and that his mother has gone to Finland.

David Batty, Alex's grandfather, is believed to be dead (Image: PA)

Her decision to go to the Scandinavian country is what reportedly prompted Alex to leave the community he was living in and try and return to the UK.

Upon the news of Alex's discovery, his grandmother, Ms Caruana, said in a statement: “I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well.

“I spoke with him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again. I can’t wait to see him when we’re reunited.

“The main thing is that he’s safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child.

“I would ask that our family are given privacy as we welcome Alex back, so we can make this process as comforting as possible.”

On Sunday, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed Alex had returned to the UK.

"Earlier, Alex met with a family member alongside Greater Manchester Police officers at Toulouse airport, before heading back to the UK," he said on Sunday.

"This moment is 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."