Fresh appeal for information in hunt for schoolboy who failed to return from a holiday to Spain with the pair a year ago
THE GRANDMOTHER of a missing schoolboy fears he has been abducted by her daughter and ex-husband to live an "alternative lifestyle" abroad.
Police continue to be concerned for the welfare of Alex Batty, who did not return from a holiday to Spain with his mother and grandfather last year.
Alex, who turns 12 today, flew out on a pre-agreed trip with Melanie Batty, 37, and David Batty, 58, for a week-long stay in the Benahavis area, near Marbella.
However they did not come back home as expected on Sunday October 8.
Inquiries have revealed they may have tried to sail on the same date from Malaga to Melilla on the Moroccan border.
Alex's guardian, grandmother Susan Caruana, 62, says her daughter and ex-husband previously lived on a commune in Morocco with Alex in 2014 as part of an "alternative lifestyle" which she believes lies behind the youngster's disappearance.
She said: "On the Sunday, they were due back in the afternoon and my husband was going to go and pick them up. I got this message on Facebook and it was a YouTube video of the three of them.
"They all spoke on it and Melanie said the reasons why they had done what they had done.
"Alex said it was a million times better being with his mum and granddad. Obviously it hurt me a bit but then my other concerns kicked in.
"The reason I believe they have done this is because basically my lifestyle, my belief systems, are not what they agree with - just simply living day to day, how normal people do.
"They didn't want him to go to school, they don't believe in mainstream school."
She added: "I just want to say to my grandson Alex, I love you so much and please, please just get in contact.
"He loved his birthdays and Christmas. I just hope they do something nice with him today."
Susan received a video through Facebook of the three of them on the day they were due to return last year.
It has now been released without audio by Greater Manchester Police, and appears to show Alex, Melanie and David reading from some kind of script.
Both Melanie - who does not have parental guardianship - and her father David are wanted by police in connection with Alex's abduction.
Detective Sergeant Pete Morley, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "I would implore any of Melanie's or David's friends, who might have heard from them, to please contact police immediately. Alex's friends may have also heard from him.
"I understand this is an emotive situation but ultimately Alex should be at home in Oldham and there are genuine concerns about his welfare.
"He has been missing out on school and we don't know how the family are funding their lifestyle abroad."
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8972 (+44 161 856 8972 if you are abroad) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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