Apparently satisfied with their explanation, the woman simply told the two boys to take the toddler down to the nearby Walton Lane Police Station. On March 4, 2019, it was announced Thompson's accomplice Jon Venables is to keep his anonymity after a judge ruled it would protect him from "serious violence". James was a two-year-old boy from a loving family who lived in Bootle, Merseyside. ROBERT Thompson abducted, tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger alongside his partner in crime Jon Venables when they were just 10 years old. 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.". With little to go on, Bulgers parents were suspects initially. This valuable clue would lead to the arrest of Venables and his 10-year-old accomplice Robert Thompson (via Crime and Investigation). Venables was first imprisoned for possessing images of child abuse in 2010, but he was released in 2013. They were remanded to separate maximum security juvenile institutions under aliases, out of fear for their safety. Menu. They first attempted to lure a three-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother away from their mother. The child murderers were sent to a. 721 Smith Rd. They were caught by a surveillance camera leaving the mall at 3:42 PM. The older boys then meandered around Liverpool past shops, buildings, and parking lots. He totally denied everything, said Detective Sergeant Phil Roberts. Jon Venables was 10 when he and Robert Thompson killed James Bulger The post was shared 627 times. At trial in 1993, Thompson was painted as the ringleader, leading Venables on at every turn. 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. James Bulgers father Ralph Bulger thinks that if Venables were to be released now, he would be at risk of killing again. In 2010, he was imprisoned for downloading images depicting various kinds of sexual abuse being inflicted upon male toddlers. "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". ", Outside court, solicitor advocate for the Bulgers, Robin Makin, said: "The authorities seem to be hell-bent on protecting JV regardless of the risk to others and this has been a primary driving force behind Ralph and Jimmys application.". Since then, the two men have taken vastly different paths. The twisted child killer, now aged 39, took the youngster from a shopping centre along with friend Robert Thompson, before the baby's dead body by a railway track. A three-page document also noted Venables had not requested a release from prison or a transfer to an open jail. The murder captivated the nation as people wondered what would motivate two 10-year-olds to abduct and murder a defenseless toddler. The judge said: [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.. But one bystander provided a glimmer of hope however fleeting for James Bulger. Clickhereto upload yours. 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. 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). James Bulgers parents, pictured one day before their child was found dead. More than 25 years later, the surveillance image above remains etched in the minds of the millions familiar with the James Bulger case. Inside a TJ Hughes department store, a woman noticed that two boys were trying to get her kids attention. 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". 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. James Bulgers father Ralph Bulger (pictured) is fighting to keep Jon Venables in prison for life. So the authorities secretly visited Robert Thompson who lived in Walton, not far from the murder scene with his mother and 2 younger brothers. in March 2019. Why Kissing The Blarney Stone Is One Of Ireland's Most Legendary Traditions, 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. 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. Then, read up on the most horrific child murderers. James Bulger Story. In 2008, Jon Venables was given a formal warning for a drunken fight & was also arrested for a cocaine offence. The body of two-year-old James Bulger was discovered near a set of railroad tracks in Liverpool, England on a cold February day in 1993. Malcolm Croft/PA Images/Getty ImagesJames Bulgers parents, pictured one day before their child was found dead. They were released on lifelong licence in 2001, but Venables was . Like Thompson, Venables parents were separated. Ten-year-old Robert Thompson, one James Bulgers killers, poses for a mugshot for British authorities on February 20, 1993. 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. The seven years he spent in detention helped Robert as he is yet to reoffend or violate the terms of his release. Authorities considered Thompson to be the ringleader in the murder that he and Venables committed. In 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables abducted, tortured and murdered the toddler after leading him away from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. Shockingly, James Bulger wasnt the first child they targeted that day. The Parole Board refused to recommend Venables for release for at least another two years, according to The Sun newspaper. in 2010, He was jailed again for downloading a collection of child porn on his PC and got out in 2013. in 2017, He downloaded more child porn and was jailed again and got out of jail in 2020. Instead, they were the toddlers abductors and, soon, his killers. In June 2019, it was reported Venables was being assessed for a permanent move to Canada. Gone outside with the boy, she said. This time, he also had a pedophile manual.This is my own fault,he allegedly told police. The police then visited both childrens homes and discovered blood on Thompsons shoes and blue paint on Venables jacket. James Bulger being kidnapped by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, as seen on CCTV footage. And if they hadnt been caught I fear they would have struck again.. Popular disgust only intensified when witnesses and the media noted Thompsons cold, seemingly remorseless behavior at trial (compared with Venables hysterical outbursts). A judge sentenced the pair to detention which ended when the pair hit eighteen. How can anyone say this monster is safe to live among us ever again?. "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". In November 2020, a source speaking toThe Sunconfirmed that Jon had asked the parole board not to approve his release. She quickly found mall security personnel and described her son and what he was wearing. Mifflintown, PA 17059. Jon Venables was responsible for a sickening crime that horrified the nation. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. 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. The boys hesitated, perhaps reconsidering what they were about to do, and did briefly turn away from the embankment. By all accounts, Venables and Thompson showed no violent or aberrant behavior in prison but instead served their time for the James Bulger murder quietly and without incident. "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. Ever since James was murdered so horrifically, the courts have bent over backwards to look after both Venables and Thompson. Email us attips@the-sun.co.ukor call 0207 782 4368 . 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. One of the investigators who talked to Thompson described him as street smart and clever.I dont know how he was doing at school, but he was switched on and he was trying to con me, trying very hard,the investigator said on Channel 5sLost Boy: The Killing of James Bulger. The same path would not apply to his partner in crime, however. Nevertheless, additional passersby could still see the partially-covered forehead injury, and one person even saw a tear on Bulgers cheek. In 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables abducted, tortured and murdered the toddler after leading him away from a shopping centre in . RM2D3M2P8 - The grave of murdered toddler James Bulger in Kirkdale cemetery, Liverpool, June 22, 2001. Both boys were ordered to be imprisoned until review when they turned 18. 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. During their November 1993 trial, the world was equally shocked and outraged that two young boys could have the capacity to viciously murder a toddler. Venables was still on strict probation following his 2001 release from prison. He claimed that information about him already existed online. But during separate police interviews, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson turned on each other. Where is Robert Thompson now? The 36-year-old has not re-offended since being released on licence when he was 18 years old. 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. 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.". Though Thompson tried very hard not to incriminate himself while he was speaking to the interrogators, he failed when he gave a detailed account of what James Bulger had been wearing on the day he was killed. 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 pair tortured and murdered James, whose body was found by a railway line. The report revealed that Jon had a new identity, a job in jail, and was a model prisoner. New Zealand's immigration department had not received any applications from Venables, she told media. Ralph expressed concern that Jon would reoffend if released from prison with a new identity. He was 10 years old. At first glance, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables seemed like two ordinary 10-year-olds. James Bulger was not the first child that the pair tried to abduct. He was so badly battered, authorities later concluded, that there was no way to tell which injury represented the fatal blow. Venables himself begged not to be released as he fears he will reoffend, a report in November last year stated. Venables and Thompson were both charged. Later that night, one of the women saw the news that Bulger was missing. With some evidence in hand and the knowledge that the James Bulger killers were likely two children, the police checked nearby schools absentee lists for the day of the disappearance. She was also bothered by the fact that Thompson would cry, but there wouldn't be any tears. A move abroad would cost, of course, but the thinking is it would be cheaper in the long run,a source said. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . After intensive rehabilitation, the pair were handed new identities. First, of course, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson had to snatch Bulger away from his mother in the midst of a busy shopping mall. Robert Thompson had a tough childhood and there were allegations of . Venables' new identity has been changed twice after he told friends he was a convicted murderer. The case was rejected by Judge Sir Andrew McFarlane, who argued the convict could be killed if his new identity was revealed. The UK's Ministry of Justice repeatedly declined to comment on claims. They spotted Bulger in a butcher shop and grabbed him. Another suspect, Jon Venables was also taken into custody. Thompson and Venables eventually arrived near a railway track in Walton. We pay for your stories! Another investigator said Thompson "would cry whenever there would be an awkward situation," to avoid questioning. 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". Both Robert Thompson and Jon Venables had rough early years. During his hearing, the court heard that upon his arrest he told cops in the police car: "This is my own fault. One person even saw Thompson kick Bulger in the ribs for resisting. All about his family, Was Dave Hollis Sick? Several shoppers later remembered noticing the trio as they walked through the mall. Mary Bell, the 11-year-old who killed toddlers and got off light. But with no further offenses, Thompson might be a great example of how a child who commits a horrific act of violence can be rehabilitated and live a productive life after being incarcerated. 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. Thompson has been revealed to be in a relationship with a man who is said to know his true identity. 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. PA Images via Getty ImagesA policeman stands guard at the entrance of the site where the body of James Bulger was found on a railway embankment in Liverpool. 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? 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. Despite the fuzzy footage, it was two small boys that could be seen leading James Bulger (identified from the description of his clothing provided by his mother) to the exit. But sometimes the unthinkable happens - children kill. BWP Media via Getty ImagesJames Bulger at age two. In rejecting Ralphs petition, Judge Sir Andrew McFarlane argued that releasing Jons information would endanger his life. Kill the bastards, people yelled. His current new identity came under threat in February 2018 after James Bulger's dad Ralph launched High Court proceedings against the order that allows him to live anonymously. "Pure evil, I will never change my mind about that.". Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were arrested on February 18, 1993, a little less than a week after the murder. While serving his sentence, Thompson showed remarkable improvement. The images included category A photos, the most serious type, and he also admitted having a paedophile manual. Robert is now openly gay and is in a long-term relationship. In September 2013, Venables was released from prison after a parole board approved the move two months before. While inside, Venables received education and rehabilitation while being taught how to conceal his real name and horrifying crime. 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. But it was ultimately an anonymous phone call to the police that implicated Jon Venables and Robert Thompson as the James Bulger killers. Nearly twenty years later, Ralph became a father again. 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. But by 4:15 p.m., there was no sign of the boy and so he was quickly reported missing to the police. Both boys were ordered to be imprisoned until review when they turned 18. Outside the courthouse, people called for the blood of the James Bulger killers. Now 38, It is believed that he is still. 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