Something went wrong, please try again later. But it didnt take long for Venables to confess. He was 10 years old. A life for a life.. Jon Venables New Identity Leaked By 4:15 PM, however, there was no sign of James Bulger and he was reported missing to the local police station. Lawyers working for him were paid 8,100 in legal aid, with government lawyers working on the case costing an additional 57,300. Sentencing him to 40 months jail in 2018, Mr Justice Edis said: The children depicted were often very young and vulnerable, there is discernible pain and distress suffered.. Now the tide has turned and finally he is facing real prison time where he should have been from the beginning., *Lost Boy: The Killing of James Bulger airs tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm and continues at the same time on Thursday, Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. In his confession, Jon stated that it was Roberts idea that they kill Bulger. In September 2008 he was arrested on suspicion of affray after a drunken brawl outside a nightclub and was given a formal warning by the probation service. "I have had urges, inquisitive. The search ended two days after the disappearance when four children discovered Bulgers body on the railway track just 200 yards from the nearest police station. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. BWP Media via Getty ImagesJames Bulger at age two. He was so badly battered, authorities later concluded, that there was no way to tell which injury represented the fatal blow. Venables has now been caged for 40 months foradmitting having a paedo manual explaining "how to have sex with little girls" as well as over 1,000 vile child abuse images. 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. In 2010, reports stated that Robert had reintegrated into society and had built a healthy relationship with a community in the North West. "My decision is in no way a reflection on the applicants themselves, for whom there is a profoundest sympathy," he said. Robert Thompson, now 36, said he is a "better person" thanks to his years in prison but. "Mr Venables had also experienced difficulties relating to employment. In 2013, the parole approved his release from prison. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Venables was given a SECOND new identity following his release from prison in 2013. Thompson was held at Barton Moss near Manchester, where he cultivated an interest in subjects like art and theater. A woman would recognize one of the suspects, 10-year-old Jon Venables. But as they scanned the lists of children who had been absent that day from local schools, they soon received an anonymous phone call that blamed Venables and Thompson for the crime. By the time Bulger was dead, he had sustained 42 brutal injuries in total. He was jailed for two years. WikimediaJames Bulger killers Jon Venables (holding the boys hand) and Robert Thompson (walking directly in front of the boy) abduct their victim just before killing him, as captured by a surveillance camera. He lives in a community in the North West. "This is, therefore, a wholly exceptional case and the evidence in 2019 is more than sufficient to sustain the conclusion that there continues to be a real risk of very substantial harm to (Venables). Under current legislation, child suspects are granted automatic anonymity in the youth courts and are routinely granted the same if they appear at crown court aside from exceptional circumstances. But on that fateful day, the two boys would take their crimes to a horrific new level by kidnapping and killing a child. in March 2019. These boys asked who the toddler was and Venables replied that he was Thompsons brother and that they were taking him home. It wont be a slap on the wrist for me.. To this day, the motive still remains unclear. What about his mum, will you tell her Im sorry?. Nine months later, the trial began. Gone outside with the boy, she said. Email us attips@the-sun.co.ukor call 0207 782 4368 . Police dropped the charges against him after he agreed to enroll in an alcohol awareness course. After intensive rehabilitation, the pair were handed new identities. They walked down one of Liverpools busiest streets. However, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a short and sharp response to reports Venables could apply to relocate to the country. ONE of James Bulger's killers says he has had a better life as a result of murdering the toddler. In November 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables became the youngest convicted murderers in British history. "Of course, because of his existing convictions he would need an exemption my advice would be 'don't bother applying'.". 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. 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. Both boys were soon arrested, and it didnt take long for them to turn on each other. "My decision is in no way a reflection on the applicants themselves, for whom there is a profoundest sympathy," he said. One person even saw Thompson kick Bulger in the ribs for resisting. "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". During the murder trial in November 1993, Thompson was depicted as the leader, and Venables the follower. While serving his sentence, Thompson showed remarkable improvement. James Bulgers father Ralph Bulger (pictured) is fighting to keep Jon Venables in prison for life. However, the psychiatrists were not able to find a motive for this horrific crime. On one occasion, his probation officer made a home visit and saw that Venables was busy trying to destroy a hard drive from his computer. The source said: Venables told the board he did not seek release because hes worried that hell reoffend. Though both boys had killed Bulger, Roberts believed that Thompson was in charge. And Roberts wasnt the only one. Other searches were conducted elsewhere, all leading to nothing. The Parole Board refused to recommend Venables for release for at least another two years, according to The Sun newspaper. It was the second time she had attempted to post information purportedly about Venables, the . In this case, it was just eight years, at which time the boys would be 18. 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". Robert Thompson was released in 2010. Having a partner thats comfortable with his identity must have helped a lot. Here is what we know about the child killer and who was released from a young offenders' institution under licence in 2001. Jon Venables was 10 when he and Robert Thompson killed James Bulger The post was shared 627 times. Though they were unsuccessful, Thompson and Venables didnt give up. I think Thompson was in charge, but they both attacked James. Ever since James was murdered so horrifically, the courts have bent over backwards to look after both Venables and Thompson. Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? The toddlers heartbreaking final words were: I want my mum.. I shouldnt have let go.. Thompson hasnt reoffended per the terms of his release, but authorities believe he masterminded the plan that led to James Bulgers death. And still he followed. Thompson was the fifth of seven children, born on August 23, 1982, in Liverpool, England. By this time, Denise was panicking. The caller told the police that Venables and Thompson were both absent from school on Friday and that they themselves had seen blue paint on the sleeve of Venables jacket. Robert is now openly gay and is in a long-term relationship. They went out that day to kill I truly believe that. Jon Venables and Robert Thompson: Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were child killers who abducted and murdered 2-year-old James Bulger. James Bulger killers Jon Venables (holding the boys hand) and Robert Thompson (walking directly in front of the boy) abduct their victim just before killing him, as captured by a surveillance camera. Venables himself begged not to be released as he fears he will reoffend, a report in November last year stated. Moments later, her three-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were missing. Motive aside, both Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were convicted, making them the youngest to be convicted of that crime in Britain in 250 years. Authorities considered Thompson to be the ringleader in the murder that he and Venables committed. 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". Their young age, coupled with the brutality of their crime, shocked the United Kingdom to its core. Ten-year-old Robert Thompson, one James Bulgers killers, poses for a mugshot for British authorities on February 20, 1993. This led to a police investigation of the drive, which yielded dozens of images of abused children. Then Venables and Thompson came upon two older boys that they knew. 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. 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 when she looked down, he was gone. It was suggested authorities believed paying for James Bulgers killer to go to a country like Canada, Australia or New Zealand would be cheaper than funding more failed new starts in the UK. At first, they announced the boys name over the malls loudspeakers. But one bystander provided a glimmer of hope however fleeting for James Bulger. The full story of how James Bulger killers Robert Thompson and Jon Venables led their two-year-old victim past dozens of witnesses on a grim path to his chilling death. Venables, however, is in prison after being convicted twice of child pornography offences. 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. View our online Press Pack. James Bulgers mother, Denise, was able to locate Robert Thompson in 2004 but was paralyzed with hatred and could not confront him. Official figures showed that Venables' attempt to keep his identity secret cost taxpayers more than 65,000. Then, read up on the most horrific child murderers. American Aviator Charles Lindbergh Was A God Among Men Until He Revealed His Nazi Sympathies, Two Seattle Artists Face Federal Charges For Faking Native American Heritage To Sell Art, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Finally, the boys hit Bulger over the head with a 22-pound iron bar, which resulted in 10 skull fractures. A move abroad would cost, of course, but the thinking is it would be cheaper in the long run.. 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. "This is, therefore, a wholly exceptional case and the evidence in 2019 is more than sufficient to sustain the conclusion that there continues to be a real risk of very substantial harm to (Venables).". She had thought that her son was by her side as she was placing her order at the butcher shop. By now, however, his forehead was bruised and cut, causing Venables and Thompson to pull the hood of the toddlers anorak over his head to try and hide the injury. In one of the most chilling photos in recent times, Venables was captured holding the 2-year-old James Bulger as Robert walked ahead of the pair. Many of these witnesses later admitted that Bulger looked distressed. But when Venables was recalled to jail in 2010, it emerged Thompson had done well at Barton Moss secure unit, in Eccles, Lancs, showing a growing interest and talent in art. Malcolm Croft PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images. Malcolm Croft PA Images/PA Images via Getty ImagesThe parents of James Bulger, Denise and Ralph, at a police press conference in Liverpool the day after their son disappeared. Given that key areas of risk remained subject to continuing interventions, the panel considered that Mr Venables was appropriately located in custody where outstanding levels of risk could be addressed. In fact, that first child nearly became the victim. However, Denise Fergus, James Bulgers mother, concurred with the judges ruling. 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. Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, pictured after their arrest for the murder of James Bulger. Robert and Jon would sexually abuse, assault, and murder Bulger before dumping his body. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The report noted he had displayed "positive behaviour" since being locked up, but felt a "lack of fulfilment in life" and had a "need for excitement". Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were arrested on February 18, 1993, a little less than a week after the murder. The youngster had no record of violence before he was found guilty of killing two-year-old James Bulger. That blow alone caused 10 skull fractures. After momentarily becoming distracted, Bulger's mother noticed that he was nowhere to be seen. But when the police eventually saw the CCTV footage from the shopping mall, they could not believe their eyes. "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". The Netline reports that Thompson has fully integrated into society and has "built a healthy relationship" inside the community in which he lives. The same path would not apply to his partner in crime, however. Routine psychiatric examinations determined that he showed remorse for his crimes. In September 2013, Venables was released from prison after a parole board approved the move two months before. The parents of James Bulger, Denise and Ralph, at a police press conference in Liverpool the day after their son disappeared. On 24 November 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were found guilty of the murder of James Bulger, becoming the youngest convicted murderers in the 20th century. In 2017, Venables was caught in possession of thousands of child pornography images and sentenced to a minimum of 40 months in prison. 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. The report stated: "Mr Venables was engaging positively in intensive interventions and these were likely to continue for several months, requiring a period of consolidation on completion.". Venables claimed he was acting in self-defence and the charges were dropped after he agreed to go on an alcohol-awareness course. The 36-year-old has not re-offended since being released on licence when he was 18 years old. We pay for your stories! The computer was taken away and 57 indecent images of children over a 12-month period were found. Soon after, a woman saw Thompson punch Bulger and shake him. Daniel Rennie is a freelance writer residing in Melbourne, Australia. Meanwhile, court-appointed psychiatrists said that both Thompson and Venables knew the difference between right and wrong. Thompson is believed to have succeeded in making a new life for himself. Over 20 years later, he has remained off the radar of authorities and has continued to live under his assumed identity. [Robert Thompson and Jon Venables] now 18, were sent to secure units in November 1993, after they were found guilty of abducting two-year old James Bulger and beating him to death, the Home Office has announced today that they will be freed after serving less than nine years of their sentence. The. Venables' new identity has been changed twice after he told friends he was a convicted murderer. A woman passing by noticed Bulger but did nothing. In rejecting Ralphs petition, Judge Sir Andrew McFarlane argued that releasing Jons information would endanger his life. The child killer was released from a young offenders' institution under licence in 2001 and has not re-offended since. This valuable clue would lead to the arrest of Venables and his 10-year-old accomplice Robert Thompson (via Crime and Investigation). The Daily Mail tells us that he will be in front of another parole board early in 2023. When Bulgers father, Ralph, saw that it was just two boys with whom his son had left the mall, he was relieved: I looked at Denise and smiled with relief. Venables and Thompson were then sentenced to serve at Her Majestys pleasure, as is standard protocol for juvenile offenders convicted of murder or manslaughter. She turned to drink and fell into depression, as well as allegedly trying to take her own life with an overdose. He pleaded guilty to charges of downloading and distributing child sex images and was given a sentence of two years in prison. James was a two-year-old boy from a loving family who lived in Bootle, Merseyside. With Bulgers mother, Denise, momentarily distracted, they got the toddler to come with them. He claimed that information about him already existed online. I have let people down again. What befell James Bulger? James Bulger being kidnapped by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, as seen on CCTV footage. 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. AT just ten years old, Jon Venables callously abducted and murdered James Bulger, 2, in 1993 in a case that sent shockwaves through the UK and the rest of the world. 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