The anxious Harold Wood friends of a 16-year-old boy on the run for over a week with a mysterious religious cult have pleaded for him to return home to his family.

Bobby Kelly, a student at Redden Court School on Cotswold Lane, and until recently a regular at St Peter's Church, Gubbins Lane, disappeared after meeting members of the Jesus Christians in Romford shopping centre.

Since then his whereabouts have remained a mystery, in spite of being made a ward of court by High Court Judge Mr Justice Semner, who ordered that he returned to the Romford home he shares with his grandmother.

Peter Townrow, head teacher at Redden Court School said of his pupil: "He is a popular boy and not just with students his age in year 11. You would regularly see him playing football with year seven pupils.

"He has never been in any kind of trouble. This news has come as a shock to all of us."

There have been worries that Bobby may be planning to leave the country with the movement after he approached Mr. Townrow with three cult members trying to obtain an authorisation signature for a passport.

Mr Townrow recalled: "I felt it was very strange that Bobby should ask me accompanied by three strangers.

''I asked some questions to investigate the situation and was not happy with his answers, so I refused to sign the photograph.

"Bobby was his usual charming self but the people with him reacted to my refusal. A woman with the group muttered as they left 'there are other ways to get a passport'.''

The Rev David Banting, vicar at St Peter's - which Bobby attended for over two years, said: "He is an open hearted and straightforward boy. This kind of behaviour is very out of character."

"Since this whole matter was made public last week, nobody has seen Bobby. Before, he was seen a few times with cult members but we have not seen him now for over a week.

"He has been in regular contact with his Grandmother, who loves him dearly, since he left but he will not let anyone know where he is. This is our main concern. If we at least knew his whereabouts or his plans then we may feel a little easier.

"We just want to him to come home to his family and friends."

The 'Jesus Christians' are believed to be a tiny splinter group of the larger 'Children of God' cult, which has only about 30 members worldwide.

It calls on its members to forsake work, family and friends so they can concentrate fully on doing God's work.

Anyone with information should contact the High Court tip staff on 0207 947 6000.

On the run - Bobby Kelly

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