The father of a Kent University lecturer detained in a Brazilian prison hopes to have news of his son’s plight soon.

Martin Boyle was arrested for allegedly owing £4,000 in child maintenance when he arrived in Sao Paulo on Saturday.

He was taken straight to prison but did manage to send a text to his father, Peter, and a friend.

Mr Boyle is director of the international foundation programme based at the university’s Keynes College.

He has a 16-year-old daughter from a previous marriage and has been locked in an access battle with his former wife, who is Brazilian, and mother-in-law since losing contact in 2001.

The dispute centres around five or six months missed payments during 2003, which are believed to be worth 6,000 Brazilian rials (approximately £2,500).

Peter Boyle, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, received a brief text message from his son shortly before he was detained.

It read: "Going into prison now. Have to leave mobile with lawyer. Don’t know how long I will be there."

Mr Boyle said his son was in the country for a six week visit.

~ Listen: Peter Boyle explains the situation to kmfm's Adam Williams >>>

Friend Jane Myers, who lives near Stansted Airport in Essex, also received Mr Boyle’s text message on Saturday.

"I would imagine he's pretty upset and frustrated about the situation," she said.

"But I hope it won’t be too long before this situation gets resolved, as the disputed money’s now been paid, so I can’t see any reason why he’s still being held."