Some of Greater Manchester's biggest names spent their formative years as pupil's of the regions now vanished schools.
15.12.2023 - 12:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A newly resurfaced interview with Alex Batty's grandmother revealed how his mum led a 'chaotic' lifestyle and 'got involved with a cult' before the boy went missing.
Alex, now 17, disappeared with his mum Melanie and grandfather David in 2017 after they took him on holiday to Spain. It is believed he was abducted to live an 'alternative lifestyle'.
On Wednesday, the teenager, from Oldham, was found walking alone near Toulouse in France. A student picked him up and took him to a police station, and he has since spoken with his gran - and legal guardian - Susan Caruana over a video call.
READ MORE: 'He's coming home': Grandmother's joy as missing Alex Batty is found in France
READ MORE: Alex Batty: Missing boy 'wanted to see grandmother and have a normal future'
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the teenager has been formally identified as Alex Batty. Speaking in 2018, the year after Alex went missing, Ms Caruana claimed Melanie and David had become 'caught up in a new lifestyle' before they took her grandson abroad.
She claimed her ex-partner 'became very spiritual' and said her daughter 'got involved with a cult'. She claimed Melanie 'didn't believe in school' and had previously taken Alex to a 'Morocco commune'.
Ms Caruana revealed Melanie was a rebellious teenager - partying hard and drinking. She said she went to college and got a law degree but couldn’t hold down a job.
In 2006, she had her son Alex. In 2018, Susan said: "I lived nearby, and I saw Alex every day, I looked after him a lot and we had such a close bond. I loaned loads of money to Melanie, to care for Alex, but she just blew the lot."
When Ms Caruana and David separated, he was receiving therapy for health issues, she claimed. "Dave went through
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