In 1993, Britain was revulsed by the murder of Liverpool two-year-old James Bulger. What made the murder even more shocking was that his two killers, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, were just 10-years-old.
On 12th February 1993, Venables and Thompson abducted James from the Strand Shopping Centre in the Bootle area of the city, where he had gone with his mother. Infamous CCTV footage at the Strand shows the two child murderers leading James away.
Then, the two killers led James on a two mile walk around the city, stopping every so often, when nobody was around, to beat James. Whenever passers-by enquired as to why James's face was bloody and bleeding, the two killers had a ready excuse to offer.
They then led James to a railway line where they beat him with bricks, stones and an iron bar. They also threw blue modelling paint over him. They them left him lying on the rails to make it look like an accident.
The killers were gaoled, but were released in 2001, when they were 18, and given new identities for protection. But Venables, now aged 27, has been sent back to prison, but the exact reason for this is not being given by the Government.
It has been alleged that Venables - who, apparently, has a violent temper - has been back in Liverpool, going on drink and drug binges at some of the city's nightclubs. He has also allegedly gone to Goodison to watch Everton matches.
According to the Sunday Mirror, Venables is also due back in court over "extremely serious" child porn allegations.
James's mother, Denise Fergus, has called on Venables to lose his anonymity in light of the new allegations, meaning he would have to watch his back for the rest of his life.
Bulger killer recalled to prison over 'child porn offence' as Straw continues to deny public the truth
By Daily Mail Reporter
07th March 2010
Daily Mail
Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, then both aged 10, in police mugshots after their arrest in 1993. Jon Venables, now 27, was recalled to prison on suspicion of child porn offences, it was claimed today.
James Bulger killer Jon Venables was recalled to prison on suspicion of child porn offences, it was claimed today.
The 27-year-old convicted murderer, who was controversially released on licence in 2001, also sparked concerns from probation officers after allegedly revealing his identity and abusing drugs.
The fresh speculation over what prompted his return to custody just over a week ago comes after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to disclose the reasons, saying only that they related to ‘extremely serious allegations’.
James' mother Denise Fergus said yesterday that Venables should lose his anonymity if he is charged with a new offence.
Her spokesman, Chris Johnson, said: ‘If after that, depending on the outcome of the court case, the powers that be decide that he should have some new identity yet again, then we'll deal with that when we come to it.
‘But she can't understand why he doesn't appear in a dock under his own name, if that's going to be where he ends up.’
Mr Johnson added: ‘She's appalled. She doesn't think that he should be at liberty anyway.
Victims: James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus and her two-year-old son. James would have turned 19 on 16th March.
‘He should really have served a sentence of something in the order of 15 years and should be coming up for parole now.
‘In her mind, if there has been an offence committed, it means that that could have been avoided.’
Mrs Fergus has demanded to know why Venables was put back in jail, and is meeting Mr Straw this week to discuss the matter.
The killer and his accomplice Robert Thompson were just 10 when they battered two-year-old James to death in Liverpool 17 years ago.
They were both released on lifelong licence in 2001 with new identities, requiring them to obey strict conditions such as not contacting each other or returning to the city where James was killed.
Last week it was claimed that Venables has visited nightclubs and a pop concert in Liverpool and even watched Premier League side Everton at Goodison Park.
The infamous CCTV still of James Bulger being kidnapped by Venables (holding James's hand) and Thompson, recorded on the Strand Shopping Centre CCTV on 12th February 1993
He is also said to have worked as a nightclub bouncer and had a history of drug abuse.
Venables is believed to face a looming return to court over the ‘extremely serious’ child porn allegations, according to the Sunday Mirror where the claims first appeared.
It could cause a potential security nightmare for the authorities trying to preserve his lifelong anonymity order.
Justifying his decision not to disclose details of Venables' recall, Mr Straw said: ‘I said on Wednesday that I was unable to give further details of the reasons for Jon Venables' return to custody, because it was not in the public interest to do so.
‘That view was shared by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
‘We all feared that a premature disclosure of information would undermine the integrity of the criminal justice process, including the investigation and potential prosecution of individual(s).’
He added: ‘Our motivation throughout has been solely to ensure that some extremely serious allegations are properly investigated and that justice is done.
‘No-one in this country would want anything other. That is what the authorities remain determined to do.’
David Blunkett, who as Home Secretary informed MPs of the Parole Board's decision that Venables should be released in 2001, backed his former Cabinet colleague's decision today.
Writing in the News of the World, he said: ‘The separation between judges and politicians is critical. The idea that we should abandon it in this case is understandable coming from James' immediate family.
‘Even with a general election pending, the Government cannot and must not bend on this - not least because if Venables has committed a further crime, then that victim and their family deserve their day in court.’
Mrs Fergus, 42, only found out about Venables' recall on Tuesday shortly before the news became public.
She disclosed her torment about being informed by a probation officer, telling a newspaper: ‘I threw question after question at her, but she blocked every one.
‘My fear was that he'd hurt another child, or any human being.
‘I just don't want anyone else hurt by Venables or Thompson. I wanted to know that he hadn't done to someone else what he did to James and me.
‘All kinds of horrible thoughts were going through my head, and they still are because no one will tell me what he's done. It's wrong - as James's mother, I have a right to know.’
dailymail.co.uk
On 12th February 1993, Venables and Thompson abducted James from the Strand Shopping Centre in the Bootle area of the city, where he had gone with his mother. Infamous CCTV footage at the Strand shows the two child murderers leading James away.
Then, the two killers led James on a two mile walk around the city, stopping every so often, when nobody was around, to beat James. Whenever passers-by enquired as to why James's face was bloody and bleeding, the two killers had a ready excuse to offer.
They then led James to a railway line where they beat him with bricks, stones and an iron bar. They also threw blue modelling paint over him. They them left him lying on the rails to make it look like an accident.
The killers were gaoled, but were released in 2001, when they were 18, and given new identities for protection. But Venables, now aged 27, has been sent back to prison, but the exact reason for this is not being given by the Government.
It has been alleged that Venables - who, apparently, has a violent temper - has been back in Liverpool, going on drink and drug binges at some of the city's nightclubs. He has also allegedly gone to Goodison to watch Everton matches.
According to the Sunday Mirror, Venables is also due back in court over "extremely serious" child porn allegations.
James's mother, Denise Fergus, has called on Venables to lose his anonymity in light of the new allegations, meaning he would have to watch his back for the rest of his life.
Bulger killer recalled to prison over 'child porn offence' as Straw continues to deny public the truth
By Daily Mail Reporter
07th March 2010
Daily Mail
Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, then both aged 10, in police mugshots after their arrest in 1993. Jon Venables, now 27, was recalled to prison on suspicion of child porn offences, it was claimed today.
James Bulger killer Jon Venables was recalled to prison on suspicion of child porn offences, it was claimed today.
The 27-year-old convicted murderer, who was controversially released on licence in 2001, also sparked concerns from probation officers after allegedly revealing his identity and abusing drugs.
The fresh speculation over what prompted his return to custody just over a week ago comes after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to disclose the reasons, saying only that they related to ‘extremely serious allegations’.
James' mother Denise Fergus said yesterday that Venables should lose his anonymity if he is charged with a new offence.
Her spokesman, Chris Johnson, said: ‘If after that, depending on the outcome of the court case, the powers that be decide that he should have some new identity yet again, then we'll deal with that when we come to it.
‘But she can't understand why he doesn't appear in a dock under his own name, if that's going to be where he ends up.’
Mr Johnson added: ‘She's appalled. She doesn't think that he should be at liberty anyway.
Victims: James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus and her two-year-old son. James would have turned 19 on 16th March.
‘He should really have served a sentence of something in the order of 15 years and should be coming up for parole now.
‘In her mind, if there has been an offence committed, it means that that could have been avoided.’
Mrs Fergus has demanded to know why Venables was put back in jail, and is meeting Mr Straw this week to discuss the matter.
Tight lipped: Justice Secretary Jack Straw has refused to say why Venables was recalled to jail
The killer and his accomplice Robert Thompson were just 10 when they battered two-year-old James to death in Liverpool 17 years ago.
They were both released on lifelong licence in 2001 with new identities, requiring them to obey strict conditions such as not contacting each other or returning to the city where James was killed.
Last week it was claimed that Venables has visited nightclubs and a pop concert in Liverpool and even watched Premier League side Everton at Goodison Park.
The infamous CCTV still of James Bulger being kidnapped by Venables (holding James's hand) and Thompson, recorded on the Strand Shopping Centre CCTV on 12th February 1993
He is also said to have worked as a nightclub bouncer and had a history of drug abuse.
Venables is believed to face a looming return to court over the ‘extremely serious’ child porn allegations, according to the Sunday Mirror where the claims first appeared.
It could cause a potential security nightmare for the authorities trying to preserve his lifelong anonymity order.
Justifying his decision not to disclose details of Venables' recall, Mr Straw said: ‘I said on Wednesday that I was unable to give further details of the reasons for Jon Venables' return to custody, because it was not in the public interest to do so.
‘That view was shared by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
‘We all feared that a premature disclosure of information would undermine the integrity of the criminal justice process, including the investigation and potential prosecution of individual(s).’
He added: ‘Our motivation throughout has been solely to ensure that some extremely serious allegations are properly investigated and that justice is done.
‘No-one in this country would want anything other. That is what the authorities remain determined to do.’
David Blunkett, who as Home Secretary informed MPs of the Parole Board's decision that Venables should be released in 2001, backed his former Cabinet colleague's decision today.
Writing in the News of the World, he said: ‘The separation between judges and politicians is critical. The idea that we should abandon it in this case is understandable coming from James' immediate family.
‘Even with a general election pending, the Government cannot and must not bend on this - not least because if Venables has committed a further crime, then that victim and their family deserve their day in court.’
Mrs Fergus, 42, only found out about Venables' recall on Tuesday shortly before the news became public.
She disclosed her torment about being informed by a probation officer, telling a newspaper: ‘I threw question after question at her, but she blocked every one.
‘My fear was that he'd hurt another child, or any human being.
‘I just don't want anyone else hurt by Venables or Thompson. I wanted to know that he hadn't done to someone else what he did to James and me.
‘All kinds of horrible thoughts were going through my head, and they still are because no one will tell me what he's done. It's wrong - as James's mother, I have a right to know.’
dailymail.co.uk
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