Connect with us

Published

on

A teenager found in France six years after he was reported missing has been reunited with his family and returned to the UK.

Alex Batty was 11 when he never returned from a holiday to Spain with his mother Melanie Batty, 38 – who does not have legal parental guardianship – and his grandfather David Batty, 59 in 2017.

Confirming his arrival, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle of Greater Manchester Police said: “Earlier today Alex met with a family member alongside Greater Manchester Police officers at Toulouse airport, before heading back to the UK.

“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.”

His grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana previously said she “can’t wait” to see him when he returns.

The whereabouts of his mother are not known at this time.

ACC Boyle said that while the French authorities have “disclosed detailed information” about where Alex has been for the last six years, GMP has not yet spoken to the teen.

More on Alex Batty

“We are yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance, but no matter what, understand that this may be an overwhelming process,” he said.

“He may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person.”

The force will speak with Alex “at a pace that feels comfortable to him” to determine whether a criminal investigation into his disappearance will ensue.

“Our continued focus is supporting Alex and his family in partnership with other local agencies to ensure they are safe, their wellbeing is looked after, and his reintegration with society is as easy as possible,” said ACC Boyle.

Alex found ‘walking alone’

Alex was found by chiropractic student Fabien Accidini while walking alone near Toulouse in the early hours of Wednesday.

Fabien Accidini - delivery driver who picked up missing briton Alex Batty
Image:
Fabien Accidini, the delivery driver who picked up the missing Briton

Ms Caruana, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, said on Friday: “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.”

Alex Batty's grandmother, Susan Caruana, pictured in 2017
Image:
Alex Batty’s grandmother, Susan Caruana, pictured in 2017

She asked for privacy as the family welcomed Alex back.

It is thought Alex had been living an “alternative” lifestyle with his mother and grandfather across Spain, Morocco and France while he was missing.

French officials said he decided to leave when his mother wanted to go to Finland.

Mr Accidini said the teenager told him he had been hiking in nearby mountains for more than four days in an attempt to return to England.

Read more:
What happened to Alex Batty?
‘The middle of nowhere road’ where Alex was found
Fabien says Alex ‘wants to live a normal life’

Views of the road in Toulouse where Alex Batty was found. (Screengrab from Alan Parsons package)
Image:
Views of the road in Toulouse where the teenager was found

On Friday, French prosecutors said the teenager’s mother, Melanie Batty, who is wanted in connection with his disappearance, may be in Finland, while his grandfather David Batty has died.

Prosecutor Antoine Leroy said Alex had said he knew his way of life with his mother “had to stop” after she announced an intention to move to Finland.

This led him to walk for “four days and four nights” across the Pyrenees, Mr Leroy said.

Alex was described as “tired” but “in good health” after being checked over by French officials and seemed “intelligent” even though he had not attended school for six years.

The prosecutor also said the boy did not appear to have been subjected to any physical violence.

Continue Reading

UK

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan charged with rape in the UK

Published

on

By

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan charged with rape in the UK

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate have been charged with rape and other offences in the UK.

Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, relating to three women.

His brother Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges relating to one woman – including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.

The charges were authorised in January 2024, but full details have only been released now.

Bedfordshire Police issued an international arrest warrant for the brothers over allegations, which they “unequivocally deny”, said to have occurred between 2012 and 2015.

The Tate brothers are facing separate allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering in Romania.

They are also accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women in a different case, which has been sent back to prosecutors.

They are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania.

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan outside a Bucharest court last month. File pic: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via Reuters
Image:
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan outside a Bucharest court in January. File pic: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via Reuters

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have authorised charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate for offences including rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm against three women.

“These charging decisions followed receipt of a file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police.

“A European Arrest Warrant was issued in England in 2024, and as a result the Romanian courts ordered the extradition to the UK of Andrew and Tristan Tate.”

The spokesperson added: “However, the domestic criminal matters in Romania must be settled first.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendants have the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Read more from Sky News:
New footage of Liverpool collision
Cummings says Badenoch will be ousted
UK has sunniest spring on record

Representatives for Andrew Tate have been contacted by Sky News for comment.

Lawyer Matt Jury, of McCue Jury & Partners, representing several alleged British victims of Andrew Tate, said: “We welcome the clarity from the Crown Prosecution Service that our authorities are working to ensure the Tates face justice here in the UK – they cannot be allowed to escape extradition.

“At the same time, we ask once more that CPS admit its mistake in failing to prosecute Tate when he lived in the UK and finally charge him for the rape and assault of the other three women, our clients, who originally filed criminal complaints against him as long ago as 2014 but were failed by the system.

“They deserve justice, too.”

The allegations were subject to a police investigation, which was closed in 2019.

Continue Reading

UK

Police given more time to question Liverpool parade collision suspect

Published

on

By

Police given more time to question Liverpool parade collision suspect

Merseyside Police has been given more time to question a 53-year-old man arrested over the Liverpool parade collision.

The suspect is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving after a car was driven into a crowd at Liverpool FC’s victory parade on Monday.

Police have said the extra time they have been given to question the suspect runs into Thursday.

The force believes the vehicle which struck pedestrians on Water Street had followed an ambulance crew that was attending to someone suffering a heart attack, after a road block was temporarily lifted.

Earlier, new footage emerged showing a car being driven into the crowd as panicked fans watched in horror and tried to avoid being hit.

The CCTV footage showed supporters attempting to move out of the way as the vehicle ploughed into supporters.

Cries could be heard from the crowd – before police and members of the public chased after the car.

In an update on Wednesday, Merseyside Police said it was in contact with 79 people who were injured in the crash – an increase on the 65 people who were confirmed injured in the force’s previous update.

Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition following the collision, the force added.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Moment car drives into crowds in Liverpool

Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “I’m pleased to say that the number of people in hospital is reducing as they continue to recover from the awful incident.

“We continue to support those still receiving treatment and as part of our ongoing enquiries we are identifying more people who were injured.

“I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to what happened.”

A view of Water Street after being reopened.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Water Street where the collision happened has reopened. Pic: Reuters

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

DS Wilson said that “extensive CCTV enquiries” were being carried out across Liverpool to “establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place”.

She added: “We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there on the day, and I thank them for their co-operation with our investigation.

“I would encourage anyone who has not yet contacted police who may have information on this incident to do so.

“An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.”

Read more:
Liverpool parade reconstructed
Why police released ‘unprecedented’ details about suspect
Parade victim says he’s been left ‘traumatised’

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool Victory Parade - Liverpool, Britain - May 26, 2025 Emergency services at the scene after multiple people were hit by a car during the Victory parade REUTERS/Phil Noble
Image:
Emergency service on Water Street after the collision. Pic: Reuters

It comes after Water Street was reopened to vehicles and pedestrians on Wednesday after the police cordon was lifted.

Street cleaning teams worked overnight to clear the road, which had been littered with bottles, cans and football scarves and flags.

One remaining Liverpool flag was removed from the top of a set of traffic lights by a worker wearing hi-vis.

👉 Listen to Sky News Daily on your podcast app 👈

On Tuesday night, Liverpool manager Arne Slot decided not to attend the League Managers Association’s annual awards ceremony “in solidarity with those affected by the incident on Monday”.

Meanwhile, speaking at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the collision on Water Street “showed the two faces of life”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Klopp sends ‘thoughts and prayers’ to victims

He said: “The most beautiful face for a long, long time: the parade was incredible, the mood was incredible and from one second to another everything changed and we learned again there are more serious things in the world than football.

“Thoughts and prayers go to the injured people and their families as well.

“It should have been one of the greatest days in the history of the city, after a long, long time, because we didn’t have the opportunity to do it last time. I don’t know how and why it happened but we know what happened and that’s very bad.”

Continue Reading

UK

Cole Cooper: Search for teenager missing for three weeks – as mum says ‘I just want answers’

Published

on

By

Cole Cooper: Search for teenager missing for three weeks - as mum says 'I just want answers'

The heartbroken mother of a Scottish teenager who vanished three weeks ago has told Sky News she fears he could have been “picked up in a car”.

Cole Cooper, 19, was last seen by an old school friend on Wednesday 7 May in the village of Longcroft near Falkirk.

Prior to that, he was captured on CCTV a few days earlier after leaving a house party in the area.

His mum, Wendy Stewart, 42, allowed Sky News into her home as she revealed the pain her family is enduring.

Cole Cooper's mum, Wendy Stewart, left, and his aunt, Aimee Tennie, right
Image:
Cole’s mother Wendy Stewart (L) and his aunt Aimee Tennie

Wiping away tears, Ms Stewart said: “I don’t know what’s happened. He has not been seen. Is it a possibility he has been picked up by a car?

“I don’t want to start speculating but I just want answers. Somebody please come and tell us.”

She added: “It’s total heartache. It’s just so surreal. Is this actually happening? I have been wanting to wake up and it’s just been a big nightmare.”

Cole Cooper. Pic: Police Scotland
Image:
Pic: Police Scotland

Cole’s family say the joinery apprentice recently started up his own fencing and decking business, which was thriving.

His aunt Aimee Tennie who has arranged community searches and erected missing posters, has said he is a popular young man who enjoys karaoke.

The 32-year-old told Sky News: “He is well liked. He is well respected. He is a lovely boy. If he is out there, we want you to come home.

“We want answers. We miss you. We love you.”

Cole Cooper. Pic: Police Scotland
Image:
Pic: Police Scotland

Cole Cooper. Family handout
Image:
Pic: Family handout

Police Scotland said more than 220 properties have been visited and more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage collected as part of the force’s efforts to find the teenager.

Specialist resources from across the country have been mobilised to help, including the police helicopter and drones from the air support unit, as well as officers from the dive and marine unit.

Ms Stewart said she would not lose hope of finding her son.

She said: “I am still praying that we get the outcome that we want which is Cole to come back home with us and to make more happy memories.”

Police are continuing to search for Cole Cooper

Read more from Sky News:
New footage shows Liverpool parade collision
Hunt for man wanted in connection with murder

Cole was reported missing on Friday 9 May.

Police said he was earlier captured on CCTV in the Longcroft area at about 6am on Sunday 4 May.

The last confirmed sighting was at 8.45pm on the A803 at its intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft, on Wednesday 7 May.

Police Scotland said an incident and welfare support unit will remain in the area while extensive searches and door-to-door enquiries continue.

An online portal has also been set up to allow members of the public to submit information directly to the investigating officers.

Police are continuing to search for Cole Cooper

Cole – who has links to the Denny, Cumbernauld and Paisley areas – has been described as around 5ft 10in, of medium build, with short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms.

Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick said there was “a lot of work going on behind the scenes” to find the teenager.

He added: “While this may not be as visible, please be assured we are working tirelessly to find Cole.”

Speaking to Sky News, the police chief said there had been no evidence of criminality.

“This is very much a missing person enquiry,” he added.

“There’s no information to suggest that Cole’s come to any harm at this time. Our focus is very much on tracing Cole safe and well.”

Continue Reading

Trending