Criminal investigation launched into alleged abduction of Alex Batty

17-year-old only met one person his age in six years he was missing, he reveals

- Cyril Dixon

POLICE have launched a criminal investigation into teenager Alex Batty's six-year disappearance after he fled life with his mother and grandfather in France.

Officers said they began the child abduction inquiry after interviewing the 17-year-old on his return to England.

The news came after Alex revealed details of his life as an unwilling nomadic drop-out with mother Melanie and grandad David Batty.

He said he met just one person his own age during the years they spent moving around Europe, and never spent a day at school.

He learnt languages, maths and technology from books and worked for his keep alongside his grandfather, he said.

Argument

But Alex, who has now been reunited with his legal guardian, grandmother Susan, in Oldham, Greater Manchester, said he was desperate for a normal life.

He said: "I had an argument with my mum and I just thought I'm going to 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."