Cult pair freed after Bobby plea

Bobby Kelly was missing for a month

Two members of a religious cult have been given suspended six-month jail sentences for refusing to reveal the whereabouts of a teenage boy, who left home to join the Jesus Christians group.

Bobby Kelly - who was made a ward of court after he disappeared from home in Essex - was found by police on Thursday morning.

There will be a private court hearing to decide his future.

The teenager submitted a statement defending Susan and Roland Gianstefani, who apologised to the court for their actions.

Bobby, 16, disappeared a month ago to stay with the group. He was found living with two men in a tent in a Hampshire forest.

The Gianstefani's, both members of the Jesus Christians, were among those who met Bobby at a Romford shopping centre shortly before he disappeared.

Arrested

They were arrested two days ago.

Giles Bain, for the couple, told Mr Justice Sumner, that Bobby realised their "liberties may be at stake" and hoped "they didn't get into trouble".

In his statement the teenager said the couple were acting "nobly" because they did not want a cult deprogrammer to "get his hands on me".

"They were willing to go to prison for me," Bobby added.

"Sorry"

Mr Bain told the judge that Mr and Mrs Gianstefani feared Bobby might be subjected to the deprogramming of his religious beliefs if they had revealed his whereabouts.

Apologising to the court for his silence, Mr Gianstefani said: "I am very, very sorry for not believing the court's intention to act in the best interests of Bobby."

Mrs Gianstefani also told the judge she was "sorry I doubted the good intentions of the court".

Mr Justice Sumner said the pair would be jailed for six weeks for contempt but he suspended the sentence because of their apology to the court, because Bobby had been found safe, and because they had eventually told the court of his whereabouts.

Released

Later, the two men who were arrested when Bobby was found were also released after a private hearing at the High Court.

Bobby is now in the care of the Official Solicitor, Laurence Oates.

He said after the hearing that Bobby was in "good spirits and was well" and should be given "space and time" to reflect.

Family 'relieved'

Clare Kirby, solicitor for Bobby's grandmother, said: "The family is extremely pleased and relieved that Bobby has been found.

"We are confident that the decision the court will now make for his future will be in his best interests and will take account of his opinion."

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, Bobby said he hoped to remain with the group for the rest of his life.

The interview was broadcast after the BBC successfully challenged a gagging order in the High Court on Tuesday which had prevented it from reporting any interviews with the teenager.