Haunting words of killer Jon Venables' parents after son murdered James Bulger
Thirty years after Jon Venables horrifically killed tot James Bulger, the killer's parents' explanation is still haunting.
It remains one of the most barbaric crimes the nation has ever seen, when Venables and pal Robert Thompson, both aged 10, horrifically murdered two-year-old James on a railway line in Walton. The pair, who snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Merseyside in 1993, spent eight years behind bars before they were released in 2001.
While Thompson has reportedly not reoffended, Venables has since been recalled to jail twice, in 2010 and 2017, after being caught with sickening child abuse images. Today, it was announced that the 41-year-old's bid for freedom was rejected by a parole board - providing huge relief for his victim's family.
James Bulger was just two years old when he was beaten and murdered on a railway (Press Association)
The tot was abducted and tortured by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 (ITV)Talking in 1993, Venables' mother, Susan, tried to explain how her child turned into a murderer. "He is easily led. He didn't want to hurt James. He was fearful of the other boy. He was fearful, he was weak and he was provoked," she said. Susan said that her son was always "loving, caring, thoughtful and considerate... fun to be with" and always had plenty of friends. "It is hard to take in really," she continued.
"We feel so sorry for him because he must be going through so much torment. You know, we just try and help him as best we can to try to come to terms with things. Our feelings haven't changed towards him. We still think the same of him as we always have. I would say he was provoked. He is one of those children that if you told him to put his hand in the fire, he would."
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The killer's mum added: "All he said when we've said 'Why didn't you run away?' and things like that is that he was frightened. He said he was frightened of Robert's older brother. Robert said 'If you tell anybody I'll get my big brother to batter you up'." Her husband, Neil, said: "If you had a league table of children, you would put him at the bottom of the list for anything like this."
Venables' parents, who sat in court for most of the murder trial, said they grieved for the Bulgers. "My heart really goes out to them. I wish we could turn the clocks back," Susan said. "I think about little James and what he must have gone through, how they must feel. I know how I feel as a mother. It is just heartbreaking."
James' mum, Denise Bulger, was at the counter of a butchers in the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Liverpool, on February 12, 1993, when she briefly let go of her son's hand to get some change from her purse. When she turned around moments later, her son was gone. CCTV footage showed the innocent toddler being led away by Venables and Thompson to a disused railway track near the police station.
The murderous duo then tortured James and hid his body under bricks. Security launched a search for James and his family looked for their son overnight. Three days later his body was found, and three days after that a tip-off came from a shopkeeper who had seen two boys playing truant on the day James went missing and gave police two names - Jon Venables and Robert Thompson. Neither gave evidence to the court, but were found guilty after an officer told how Venables admitted the murder, saying, "We did it. Will you tell his mum I'm sorry?"
They were ordered to be detained indefinitely, but in 2001, a six-month review by the parole board found they were no longer a threat to public safety. Both were banned from ever returning to Liverpool and given new identities at a reported cost of £1.5million. James' mum Denise believes they should have remained in jail for life and has tirelessly campaigned against their rights to anonymity.
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