The grandmother and legal guardian of Alex Batty, the British boy who
went missing six years ago, has said she "can't wait to see him" when he returns to the UK.

In a statement issued via police, Susan Caruana said she "cannot begin
to express my relief and happiness" that the 17-year-old had been found
safe and well in France.

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

It comes after French authorities said Alex had fled his mother because
she wanted to take him to Finland.

The British teenager first went missing after going on holiday with his
mother and grandfather in 2017 when he was 11 - but was found this week
by a pharmacy driver on a remote road.

Antoine Leroy, the Toulouse assistant public prosecutor, said Alex's
mother was "rather unstable", according to the boy.

Alex told police he decided his nomadic lifestyle with his mother "had
to stop" when she proposed taking him to Finland.

He walked for four nights in the French Pyrenees mountains - sleeping
during the day - to get away from her, Mr Leroy added.

The boy had 100 euros but no phone - and took food from fields and
gardens on the way.

Alex, now about 17 and a half, should be able to return to the UK tomorrow.

https://news.sky.com/story/alex-batty-british-boy-fled-his-mother-because-she-planned-to-take-him-to-finland-french-authorities-say-13031055

Desperate times, desperate measures. Six years on the run. The guy that
rescued brave Alex looks exactly like Djokovic.

--
"And off they went, from here to there,
The bear, the bear, and the maiden fair"
-- Traditional

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