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. But sometimes the unthinkable happens - children kill. Instead of jail time, he was ordered to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Robert is now openly gay and is in a long-term relationship. 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. Three months later, he got off with a warning after police caught him in possession of a small amount of cocaine. Though many people on the streets believed that the three boys were siblings, others were concerned about Thompson and Venables aggressive behavior toward Bulger. "My decision is in no way a reflection on the applicants themselves, for whom there is a profoundest sympathy," he said. Explaining why a worldwide injuction preventing details about Venables and Thompson was imposed, then Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The injunction was granted because there was a real and strong possibility that their lives would be at risk if their identities became known.". In this case, it was just eight years, at which time the boys would be 18. Here is what happened to Jon Venables after he was found guilty of murdering James Bulger. A judge sentenced the pair to detention which ended when the pair hit eighteen. A woman concerned for the toddler told Venables and Thompson that she would take the child to the police station herself. Many of these witnesses later admitted that Bulger looked distressed. "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).". Four years later, Venables returned to prison on the same charge. The 36-year-old has not re-offended since being released on licence when he was 18 years old. "Pure evil, I will never change my mind about that.". To those who arent familiar, the scene looks harmless enough: Two boys leading a toddler, one holding his hand as they make their way through a normal shopping mall in Bootle, England. Many of them would later express regret for not doing anything. 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". ", 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.". But he found himself back in a maximum category A jail, which we cannot identify for legal reasons,after being caught with vile child abuse images following a top-secret police operation. Here is what we know about the child killer and who was released from a young offenders' institution under licence in 2001. A life for a life.. Though a train came and severed Bulgers body in two it was obvious that his demise was no accident. A source told the paper that Venables told the panel and his probation officer he doesn't even want to be freed. The Netline reports that Thompson has fully integrated into society and has "built a healthy relationship" inside the community in which he lives. 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). Both boys were ordered to be imprisoned until review when they turned 18. In their bid to have Venables' identity disclosed, lawyers for Ralph and Jimmy Bulger argued certain details about the killer and his life are "common knowledge" and easily accessible online. While inside, Venables received education and rehabilitation while being taught how to conceal his real name and horrifying crime. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. Then they arrived at the railway. His mother treated her depression with heavy drinking and once tried to commit suicide. Some even saw the older boys punch and kick the two-year-old. February 17, 2022 0 In the wake of baiting the baby away from a retail plaza in Bootle, Merseyside, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables seized, tortured, and killed him in 1993. In addition, they thought that the kidnappers mightve been 13 or 14 years old, which threw them off track. 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. In 2010, reports stated that Robert had reintegrated into society and had built a healthy relationship with a community in the North West. Robin Makin, the advocate for the petitioners, protested the decision, stating that the court failed to consider the risk Jon poses to others. 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. A freak of nature. At trial in 1993, Thompson was painted as the ringleader, leading Venables on at every turn. Mr Bulger said: Ive always believed Venables will kill another child again if he is allowed back into the community. In 2017, Venables was caught in possession of thousands of child pornography images and sentenced to a minimum of 40 months in prison. 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. Venables and Thompson had brought blue paint stolen from the shopping mall and splashed it in Bulgers left eye. Robert Thompson was born on August 23, 1982 - the fifth of seven children. More than 25 years later, the surveillance image above remains etched in the minds of the millions familiar with the James Bulger case. But in 1993, these two British boys became cold-blooded killers and murdered a toddler. "My decision is in no way a reflection on the applicants themselves, for whom there is a profoundest sympathy," he said. The seven years he spent in detention helped Robert as he is yet to reoffend or violate the terms of his release. During the murder trial in November 1993, Thompson was depicted as the leader, and Venables the follower. Once those CCTV images were released to the media, the story went nationwide and the search for Bulger intensified. Robert Thompson was born on August 23, 1982 - the fifth of seven children. In 1993, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables abducted, tortured and murdered the toddler after leading him away from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. But when she looked down, he was gone. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The images included category A photos, the most serious type, and he also admitted having a paedophile manual. However, Denise Fergus, James Bulgers mother, concurred with the judges ruling. While serving his sentence, Thompson showed remarkable improvement. 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. But it was ultimately an anonymous phone call to the police that implicated Jon Venables and Robert Thompson as the James Bulger killers. Robert hasn't reoffended. The crimes of the 10-year-old killers horrified Britain. After a three-week trial, the jury took only five hours to render a guilty verdict for the boys. It is believed Thompson remains in a long-term relationship with a man who knows his real identity. In 2010, he was imprisoned for downloading images depicting various kinds of sexual abuse being inflicted upon male toddlers. James Bulger's grieving father Ralph lost a High Court bid to have information about Venables made public. Rape survivor slams Gabby Petito Utah cop over handling of her case, 'Dark details' about boyfriend of US swim champ who mysteriously died, Disturbing red flags of Lindsay Clancy's psychosis before she 'killed 3 kids', Mysterious powder swamps US skies as residents report dust-covered cars, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Jon Venables was ten years old when he was arrested for the torture and murder of two-year-old James Bulger, Chilling CCTV shows the moment James was led away from his parents, Venables was jailed for two years in 2010 after he admitted downloading and distributing indecent images of children, James Bulger killer Jon Venables charged over indecent images of children. 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 and Thompson were then sentenced to serve at Her Majestys pleasure, as is standard protocol for juvenile offenders convicted of murder or manslaughter. Three months later he was given a caution for possession of cocaine after he was found with a small amount of the class A drug. And if they hadnt been caught I fear they would have struck again. They walked down one of Liverpools busiest streets. She called out to them once more as they walked away but they did not look back. The computer was taken away and 57 indecent images of children over a 12-month period were found. Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, pictured after their arrest for the murder of James Bulger. 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. 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. And still he followed. Harry Fletcher, a probation officers union official, talked toIndependentabout Jons difficulty with keeping his identity secret. June 24, 2011. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The same path would not apply to his partner in crime, however. First, of course, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson had to snatch Bulger away from his mother in the midst of a busy shopping mall. Jon Venables was just 10-years-old when he and Robert Thompson abducted and murdered James Bulger alongside - and now he is back behind bars after being caught with horrific child abuse images. To this day, the motive still remains unclear. 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. 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. This indefinite sentence has no maximum but does have a minimum to be determined on a case-by-case basis. 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. 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 serving three years, he was released on parole. 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 . What about his mum, will you tell her Im sorry?. Nine months later, the trial began. This led to a police investigation of the drive, which yielded dozens of images of abused children. Rumours had spread widely on social media that Jon Venables, who murdered James Bulger in 1993 along with Robert Thompson, had had his eyes ripped out in prison . 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. The toddlers heartbreaking final words were: I want my mum.. He excelled in his academics and began to develop an interest in textiles. "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).". While the abduction of James Bulger was caught on camera, police had few leads for potential suspects. Having a partner thats comfortable with his identity must have helped a lot. Finally, discover the story of Mary Bell, the 11-year-old who killed toddlers and got off light. They added: "Venables told the board he did not seek release because hes worried that hell re-offend. This is a case that rocked Britain and shocked the entire world. 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. Sometimes Bulger ran ahead, leaving Venables and Thompson to beckon him back with calls of Come on, baby.. In their bid to have Venable's identity disclosed, lawyers for Ralph and Jimmy Bulger argued certain details about the killer and his life are "common knowledge" and easily accessible online. A three-page document also noted Venables had not requested a release from prison or a transfer to an open jail. Nevertheless, additional passersby could still see the partially-covered forehead injury, and one person even saw a tear on Bulgers cheek. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Robert Thompson and Venables became Britain's youngest killers for 250 years, James Bulger was snatched from his mum in a shopping mall in Merseyside, Denise Fergus shows previously unseen family photos of her murdered two-year-old son for a new documentary 'James Bulger: A Mother's Story with Trevor McDonald'. The police then visited both childrens homes and discovered blood on Thompsons shoes and blue paint on Venables jacket. In his confession, Jon stated that it was Roberts idea that they kill Bulger. "The reality is that the case for varying the injunction has simply not been made.". Meanwhile, after Venables, Thompson, and Bulger had left the mall, the toddler began crying out for his mother. He and his second wife Natalie McDermott, welcomed a baby girl in 2014. 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. As the jury foreman read the verdict, Venables and Thompson were sitting in an adult court dock that had been altered so that the boys could see over it. A freak of nature. 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. 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. RM2D3M2P8 - The grave of murdered toddler James Bulger in Kirkdale cemetery, Liverpool, June 22, 2001. "Perhaps the parole board have finally seen through his lies and deceit. Soon after, a woman saw Thompson punch Bulger and shake him. 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. February 13, 1993. Another investigator said Thompson "would cry whenever there would be an awkward situation," to avoid questioning. His dad abandoned the family five years before Bulger's murder - leaving mum Ann devastated. Both Robert Thompson and Jon Venables had rough early years. At first, they announced the boys name over the malls loudspeakers. They were released on lifelong licence in 2001, but Venables was . Ten-year-old Jon Venables poses for a mugshot for British authorities on February 20, 1993. The judge, Mr Justice Morland, told they boys they had committed a crime of " unparalleled evil and barbarity in my judgement, your conduct was both cunning and very wicked. Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty ImagesJames Bulgers father, Ralph, stands outside Liverpool Crown Court after making a statement to the parole board in hopes of keeping Jon Venables behind bars. Thus it was widely assumed that Thompson was the instigator even though psychiatrists and authorities have never been able to reach a conclusion on the boys motives. 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.". Robert and Jon would sexually abuse, assault, and murder Bulger before dumping his body. 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". 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. Police dropped the charges against him after he agreed to enroll in an alcohol awareness course. Toddler James Bulger disappeared on February 12 1993. A Match Made In Hell: How Robert Thompson And Jon Venables Became Killers At Age 10. James Bulger Story. That was the biggest mistake of my life. James was taken from the Strand shopping center, . Soon after the aborted abduction, Venables and Thompson were loitering around a snack kiosk hoping to steal candy when they noticed James Bulger by the door of a nearby butchers shop. The parole experts cited there would need to be several very strict limitations on Venables and his contacts, movements and activities would need to be limited. "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).". Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. After momentarily becoming distracted, Bulger's mother noticed that he was nowhere to be seen. Denise Fergus and her then-husband Ralph Bulger were worried sick. 3 Who was Wu Lien-teh and who was his wife Ruth? 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. Venables was released in 2001 and soon found himself running afoul of the law. Though Venables father was still in the picture, his mother was known to be harsh toward the young boy. In June 2019, it was reported Venables was being assessed for a permanent move to Canada. 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