A teenage sailor who ran away from home and travelled alone to the Caribbean can remain in her father’s custody, a Dutch court said today.

A teenage sailor faced the possibility of being removed from her father’s custody today as she returned to the Netherlands after disappearing from home and flying to the Caribbean.

Runaway teenage sailor Laura Dekker will face questions from Dutch police and social services today after her 5,000-mile trek to a Caribbean island.

A Dutch court has ruled that a 14-year-old girl is not yet experienced enough to set off on a record-breaking solo sailing trip around the world.