James Bulger's mum pays respect at his final resting place 30 years after murder

12 February 2023 , 08:04

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James Bulger was just two years old when he was killed by a pair of 10-year-old boys (Image: Press Association)

The mother of James Bulger has marked the 30th anniversary of his murder with a touching tribute to her “beautiful” little boy.

Denise Fergus said she will forever remember the two-year-old’s “belly giggles and dancing around the house”.

Today marks three decades since the toddler was killed by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 at the time.

Speaking on the eve of the anniversary, Denise said: “I will be paying my respects at James’s resting place with Stuart, my sons and close family.

“The day will be spent not thinking about what happened so tragically but remembering our beautiful little James running around the house constantly giggling and dancing, which he loved to do.”

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Treasured pictures of James show him as a playful, fun-loving and constantly smiling toddler.

Mum Denise with her son James

She said the anniversary will be spent remembering the tot (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Kym Darby, chair of The James Bulger Memorial Trust, said: “With the anniversary weekend ahead, Denise is spending this time privately.

“Denise wants to thank everyone for the 30 years of support and has often mentioned feeling the nation has their virtual arms around her and her sons, supporting and protecting them all.”

It was on February 12, 1993 – a month before he would have turned three – that James and Denise visited the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

James Bulger was abducted and taken to a railway line to be tortured by the two boys (ITV)

In the blink of an eye, Thompson and Venables led him away, took him to a railway line and tortured him.

James, who suffered 42 injuries, was hit by a train and his body was found two days later.

Venables and Thompson were found guilty of abduction and murder in 1993. They spent eight years in custody and were released under licence.

Denise recalled little James running around the house constantly giggling and dancing

They were given new names, but Venables had to change his again after revealing his past.

His current identity faced a legal threat in February 2018 when James’s dad Ralph – Denise’s first husband – launched High Court proceedings to remove anonymity.

But a judge ruled a ban on identifying both killers was necessary.

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It was said Denise wants to thank everyone for the 30 years of support after losing her son (ITV)

They are protected by a worldwide injunction and anyone seeking to expose their ID or whereabouts could face jail.

Venables, now 40, has been recalled to jail twice. He is seeking parole after a 2017 conviction for possessing images of child sexual abuse.

James would have been 33 next month. Denise and Ralph divorced in 1995 as grief took its toll. She wed Stuart Fergus in 1998.

Saskia Rowlands