Venables and Thompson abducted James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside before brutally torturing and murdering the tot and left his body by a railway line. But the President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane rejected the bid, saying it was in place to protect Venables from being "put to death". Venables was released in 2001 and soon found himself running afoul of the law. DetectivePhil Roberts was on Merseysides serious crime squad when he got a call at 6am on February 13, 1993, about a two-year-old boy who had gone missing from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle. Closed-circuit camera footage revealed that a child fitting Bulger's description was led away from the shopping center by two young boys. Venables and Thompson had brought blue paint stolen from the shopping mall and splashed it in Bulgers left eye. Outside the courthouse, people called for the blood of the James Bulger killers. Both were released under strict conditions in 2001 and given new identities, but Venables kept falling foul of the law and was put behind bars once again for more horrific crimes. But the two ten-year-olds said, We just found him at the bottom of the hill.. He was so badly battered, authorities later concluded, that there was no way to tell which injury represented the fatal blow. Thompson and Venables led Bulger away from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, after his mother had taken her . He and his second wife Natalie McDermott, welcomed a baby girl in 2014. But the President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane rejected the bid, saying it was in place to protect Venables from being "put to death". Addressing a potential future release, the report described how his chances of reoffending were he to be released from jail could be cut by certain "protective factors". "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". He is a dangerous, predatory child abuser and killer, and I am terrified he will harm another child like my James,Ralph said. She was concerned, but another woman standing nearby said shed heard James laughing moments ago and so both assumed nothing was wrong. And still he followed. After a three-week trial, the jury took only five hours to render a guilty verdict for the boys. Venables himself begged not to be released as he fears he will reoffend, a report in November last year stated. A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. In 2008, Jon Venables was given a formal warning for a drunken fight & was also arrested for a cocaine offence. And if they hadnt been caught I fear they would have struck again. On the outside, he finds it difficult to make friends or gain employment and he seeks out drink, sex and pornography as a way of adding excitement to his life and thats a potent mix.. In November 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables became the youngest convicted murderers in British history. Its just a big knot in your chest and thats been there since day one.. Mr Bulger said: Ive always believed Venables will kill another child again if he is allowed back into the community. A two-year-old James Bulger was kidnapped and killed by the ten-year-old Robert Thompson and his partner Jon Venables. We pay for your stories! In 2006, reports claimed Thompson was in a stable gay relationship at age 23 and had settled well into his local community in the North West. The tot was kidnapped, tortured, and sexually abused by the two ten-year-olds. Witnesses would later testify in court that they saw a crying Bulger being dragged along the two-and-a-half-mile route between the Strand and the railroad tracks where he would be eventually found. In 2010, reports stated that Robert had reintegrated into society and had built a healthy relationship with a community in the North West. ROBERT Thompson abducted and tortured to death two-year-old James Bulger alongside his partner in crime Jon Venables when they were just ten years old. "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". Jon Venables pictured using a mobile phone, a questionable activity given his inability to maintain anonymity. Here is what happened to Jon Venables after he was found guilty of murdering James Bulger. How James Bulger Was Killed By Jon Venables And Robert Thompson. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. James Bulgers father Ralph said he could rest easy as one of his sons killers was refused parole, but feared he would re-offend if he was ever released. In November 2020, a source speaking toThe Sunconfirmed that Jon had asked the parole board not to approve his release. He was 10 years old. Venables was still on strict probation following his 2001 release from prison. Over the course of interviews lasting several days, Venables eventually confessed. Security cameras caught the three children walking outside at 3:42 p.m. By that point, Fergus had already alerted mall security, who made several announcements to shoppers about the missing child. The toddler had gone missing two days before from the Strand shopping center, where Bulger was in the care of his mother. But when the police eventually saw the CCTV footage from the shopping mall, they could not believe their eyes. They spotted Bulger in a butcher shop and grabbed him. His identity is protected by a worldwide injunction - meaning that even trying to find out where he lives could land you in jail. By the time Thompson and Venables skipped school together on February 12, 1993, the two boys were good friends. Several shoppers later remembered noticing the trio as they walked through the mall. The child killer was released from a. "The risk factors identified at the time of his offending included his sexual interests and an attraction to sexual violence as well as other issues considered relevant but amenable to change. James Bulger's grieving father Ralph lost a High Court bid to have information about Venables made public. Robert Thompson was released in 2010. Robert Thompson, on the other hand, was not such an easy interview. Instead of jail time, he was ordered to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Another investigator said Thompson "would cry whenever there would be an awkward situation," to avoid questioning. But during separate police interviews, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson turned on each other. Then, dive into the maddening mystery behind the Atlanta Child Murders. PA Images/Getty ImagesThe Liverpool railway embankment where James Bulgers body was found. Everything we know, Mr. Justice Edis sentenced Venables to 40 months in prison, saying, Shed objected to Ralphs petition, saying, Who are Miles Pfeffers parents? Robert had no father figure as his dad abandoned the family five years before the murder. He said: "I don't know how he was doing at school, but he was switched on and he was trying to con me, trying very hard". In 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables abducted, tortured and murdered the toddler after leading him away from a shopping centre in . Most recently, Venables was denied parole in September 2020. They were a match made in hell. But then Jon Venables and Robert Thompson turned back toward the privacy of the deserted railway. While some adults stopped to ask the children a few questions, they all let the boys go on their way, apparently believing that Bulger was either being taken home or to the police station. Feb 11 2021 On February 12th, 1993, two ten year old's, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, kidnapped, tortured, and killed two-year-old James Patrick Bulger in Liverpool England. The case was rejected by Judge Sir Andrew McFarlane, who argued the convict could be killed if his new identity was revealed. James Bulgers father Ralph Bulger (pictured) is fighting to keep Jon Venables in prison for life. Robert Thompson (on the left) and Jon Venables (both born in August, 1982, ) are two felons, known in British history as the youngest convicted criminals at . Beyond that, I have no further comments to make., Inside Aimee Challenors life, her husband and parents, Inside Kimberly Guilfoyles life, her parents and ex-husbands, Are Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes still dating? Robert Thompson and Jon Venables The public was already outraged as the police were still not able to catch the killers. Within hours of that surveillance image being captured on the afternoon of February 12, 1993, 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson had tortured two-year-old James Bulger to death. All about his family, Was Dave Hollis Sick? This is a case that rocked Britain and shocked the entire world. After bringing in Thompson and Jon Venables for questioning, Phil said: As far as Im concerned that day 20 years ago I stared evil in the face. He totally denied everything, said Detective Sergeant Phil Roberts. Finally, the boys hit Bulger over the head with a 22-pound iron bar, which resulted in 10 skull fractures. Lawyers working for him were paid 8,100 in legal aid, with government lawyers working on the case costing an additional 57,300. On November 24, 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were found guilty of the abduction and murder of James Bulger, making them the youngest convicted killers in modern British history. The panel listed as risk factors those influencers that made it more likely that Mr. Venables would reoffend in the future,the report read. Email us attips@the-sun.co.ukor call 0207 782 4368 . He lives in a community in the North West. The kid killers were condemned to an adolescent detainment office, where they resided until their parole in 2001 at 18 years old. When officers arrived at his flat, Venables was attempting to remove or destroy the hard drive of his computer with a knife and tin opener. The child murderers were sent to a. Now 38, It is believed that he is still. Where is Robert Thompson now? His mysterious death. While inside, Venables received education and rehabilitation while being taught how to conceal his real name and horrifying crime. James was taken from the Strand shopping center, . She quickly found mall security personnel and described her son and what he was wearing. He is yet to violate the terms of his release. He became eligible for parole in 2013, at which time Ralph Bulger told the parole board that he couldnt forgive his sons killers and that Venables should not be released. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The killer was 10-years-old when he and Robert Thompson murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, which is. Such was the shocking story of two 10-year-old's, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson from England, who killed and mutilated the body of 2-year-old James Bulger.. On that fateful day, the troubled boys were skipping school and wandering around a busy mall, stealing sweets . Both Robert Thompson and Jon Venables had rough early years. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Moreover, court-appointed psychiatrists determined that the two boys knew right from wrong and werent sociopaths, but were nevertheless able to uncover any concrete motives for James Bulgers murder something no professional has been able to confidently determine even in the years since. She turned to drink and fell into depression, as well as allegedly trying to take her own life with an overdose. This caused various children to be identified as potential killers, with some parents even reporting their own kids. But she pulled her curtains and blocked out the scene. The stolen tin of blue paint was found nearby. Dr. Ian Cumming, a psychiatrist, talked toIndependentabout the difficulties people with fake identities face when building relationships: So much about peoples interactions with others is built on trust, and if what youre doing and who you are is not really correct than thats quite a strain on the individual. Venables' new identity has been changed twice after he told friends he was a convicted murderer. What about his mum, will you tell her Im sorry?. Though not much is known about his current whereabouts, he is reportedly in a stable relationship with a man who is fully aware of his past. The older boys then meandered around Liverpool past shops, buildings, and parking lots. The murder captivated the nation as people wondered what would motivate two 10-year-olds to abduct and murder a defenseless toddler. Ive had urges, inquisitive.Mr. Justice Edis sentenced Venables to 40 months in prison, saying:The children depicted were often very young and vulnerable, there is discernible pain and distress suffered.. Popular disgust only intensified when witnesses and the media noted Thompsons cold, seemingly remorseless behavior at trial (compared with Venables hysterical outbursts). Jon Venables was responsible for a sickening crime that horrified the nation. He had passed five GCSEs, taken A-levels and enjoyed trips to the Lake District and even to the theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Authorities gave Robert and Jon new identities and released them into society under strict supervision. The boys ended up at the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle (near Liverpool) on the afternoon of February 12 after having skipped school that day. A freak of nature. At the mall, James Bulger killers wandered from shop to shop, stealing anything they could get their hands on, then tossing their stolen booty down escalators just for the fun of it. Some witnesses later remembered seeing Bulger laughing while others remembered seeing him resisting and even screaming for his mother. He was not allowed to contact Thompson, who was also released at the same time with a new identity, or the Bulger family and he could not visit the Merseyside region. Mifflintown, PA 17059. Thompson was held at Barton Moss near Manchester, where he cultivated an interest in subjects like art and theater. Harry Fletcher, a probation officers union official, talked toIndependentabout Jons difficulty with keeping his identity secret. Officials said: "Mr Venables indicated, through his legal representative, that he was benefiting from ongoing psychological work and did not ask the panel to direct his release or recommend a transfer to open conditions at this stage.". The youngster had no record of violence before he was found guilty of killing two-year-old James Bulger. But most did nothing and those that stopped and questioned the James Bulger killers soon enough let them go on their way to ultimately murder the toddler. What about his mum, will you tell her Im sorry?. Robert and Jon would sexually abuse, assault, and murder Bulger before dumping his body. Sarah Everard: Serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, arrested on suspicion of murder, kidnap & indecent exposure, Brazil Covid variant is an 'atom bomb' that threatens to destroy worlds hopes of beating the pandemic, experts warn, Burping and 8 other unusual Covid symptoms that can linger for months, Bizarre floating ships seen off the coast of Britain could unlock the 109-year-old mystery of the Titanic's sinking, Weather forecast UK LIVE Met Office warnings of gale force winds for ALL of England today, Kent variant is up to TWICE as deadly as original strains, scientists warn. Another suspect, Jon Venables was also taken into custody. After luring the toddler away from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables kidnapped, tormented, and murdered him in 1993. Though Bulgers mother Denise Fergus had been holding his hand, she had briefly let go to pay for groceries, only to look down with horror and realize that her child had vanished. RM2D3M2P8 - The grave of murdered toddler James Bulger in Kirkdale cemetery, Liverpool, June 22, 2001. Venables admitted that he posed online as a 35-year-old woman who was trying to sell images of her abused daughter (via The Daily Mail). Jon Venables was born on August 13, 1982. Ralph and James's uncle Jimmy had launched a bid to have Venables' anonymity removed, arguing certain details about him were "common knowledge" and easily accessible online. After momentarily becoming distracted, Bulger's mother noticed that he was nowhere to be seen. After serving three years, he was released on parole. He pleaded guilty to charges of downloading and distributing child sex images and was given a sentence of two years in prison. "Risk factors identified in subsequent reviews include thinking about sex a lot, problems in maintaining relationships, concerns about self-awareness, and his ability to deal with stress. His identity is protected by a worldwide injunction - meaning that even trying to find out where he lives could land you in jail. Venables was given a new identity with a fabricated passport, qualification certificates and medical records. BWP Media via Getty ImagesTen-year-old Jon Venables poses for a mugshot for British authorities on February 20, 1993. And if they hadnt been caught I fear they would have struck again. And in 2018, he was sentenced to 40 months after admitting to possessing more than 1,000 child abuse images and the pedophile manual. In Channel 5's two-part documentary Lost Boy: The Killing of James Bulger, one of the investigators who questioned Thompson said the young boy was "street smart" and "clever," and said the ten-year-old was "trying very, very hard to con me.". Robert Thompson was born on August 23, 1982 the fifth of seven children. These include his "level of intelligence, making constructive use of his time, a capacity and motivation for self-reflection, and a supportive social network in the community". But in November 2017, Jon Venables was again imprisoned when more child abuse images and a pedophile manual that provided instructions on having sex with kids were discovered on his computer. Both Venables and Thompson were released at age 18 in June 2001. It is believed Thompson remains in a long-term relationship with a man who knows his real identity. More than 25 years later, the surveillance image above remains etched in the minds of the millions familiar with the James Bulger case. Youve got enormous burdens to carry around.. This was largely due to the fact that Venables appeared more emotional, while Thompson often appeared chillingly unfazed. Channel 5 is set to air a new two-part documentary that tells the definitive story of the murder of James Bulger, who was horrifically killed by Jon . After this look at the case of James Bulger and whats become of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, see some other haunting death photos taken just before the victim met their end. The parents of James Bulger, Denise and Ralph, at a police press conference in Liverpool the day after their son disappeared. Venables and Thompson were found guilty of Bulger's abduction and murder on November 24, 1993 - makingthem the youngest people to be jailed for murder in 250 years. "Of course, because of his existing convictions he would need an exemption my advice would be 'don't bother applying'.". With Bulgers mother, Denise, momentarily distracted, they got the toddler to come with them. Jon Venables was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, not far from half the amount of time he served for joining Robert Thompson in perpetrating the murder of James Bulger a quarter-century before. We pay for videos too. February 13, 1993. Venables was first imprisoned for possessing images of child abuse in 2010, but he was released in 2013. View our online Press Pack. It added that Jon had stated that hed benefited from psychological work in prison and didnt ask the panel for release. The brutal torture and murder of James Bulger occurred sometime between 5:45 and 6:30 PM. To date, no significant attempts at vengeance have been made. A 2015 interview with James Bulgers mother. He was visited regularly by his parents and was kept at Red Bank for the full eight years because of good progress, despite the facility only being a short-stay remand unit. They were remanded to separate maximum security juvenile institutions under aliases, out of fear for their safety. He added: "As Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss held, (Venables) is 'uniquely notorious' and there is a strong possibility, if not a probability, that if his identity were known he would be pursued resulting in grave and possibly fatal consequences. At the canal, they dropped Bulger on his head and left him on the ground crying. The report concluded: After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made whilst in custody and on licence, as well as the other evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Venables was suitable for re-release. Mere luck had saved the boy and sealed James Bulgers terrible fate. The report, which explained why he was denied parole, stated Venables has landed a job in jail while living a top secret life with a new identity among other cons. 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