Ralph and James's uncle Jimmy had launched a bid to have Venables' anonymity removed, arguing certain details about him were "common knowledge" and easily accessible online. McAlpine, Emma (15 May 2009). " Monsters at the Arcola Theatre". Spoonfed London. Archived from the original on 23 May 2009 . Retrieved 15 April 2023. In January2019, the short film Detainment was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 91st Academy Awards ("The Oscars"). The film is based on transcripts of the police interviews with Thompson and Venables after their arrests. [147] [148]

The youngster was two when he was abducted and murdered by two 10-year-old boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, in Bootle, Merseyside. From the moment James was first seen on camera with the two boys to the time he left the centre with them was one minute 39 secs, said Mr Henriques. 'It can be deduced that they left the precinct with some haste.' In March2010, a call was made by England's Children's commissioner Maggie Atkinson to raise the age of criminal responsibility from ten to twelve. She said that the killers of James Bulger should have undergone "programmes" to help turn their lives around, rather than being prosecuted. The Ministry of Justice rejected the call, saying that children over the age of ten knew the difference "between bad behaviour and serious wrongdoing". [76] Court protective injunction and violations [ edit ] Kellyann Monaghan added: "I hope you find peace wherever you are James, you deserve it more than anyone after the tormented life you've lived. Good night, god bless mate."

It also offers a bizarre insight into the minds of Venables — who thought baby James was growing inside him — and Thompson — who thought he could smell his victim’s “baby smell” after he’d killed him.

On 24 November 1993 Thompson and Venables were found guilty, becoming the youngest convicted murderers of the 20th century. The case was rejected by Judge Sir Andrew McFarlane, who argued the convict could be killed if his new identity was revealed.Margate woman jailed for 'cruel' James Bulger tweets". BBC News. 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016 . Retrieved 14 July 2016. Riley's recent crimes include a two year stint behind bars in May 2017 aftrer he admitted a spate of commercial burglaries. Sarah Holt, who defended Riley in that case, said: He has been a drug addict for a considerable period of time – all his adult life and in fact most of his adolescence.

He remained in a cell overnight, but at around 5pm the following day police staff were made aware he was on the floor and required medical attention.a b Lusher, Adam (14 November 2018). "James Bulger documentary: Jon Venables so haunted by toddler victim he detected 'baby smell' on everything he wore, C5 show claims". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018 . Retrieved 15 November 2018. Tony Blair, then Shadow Home Secretary, gave a speech in Wellingborough during which he said: "We hear of crimes so horrific they provoke anger and disbelief in equal proportions ... These are the ugly manifestations of a society that is becoming unworthy of that name." [9] Prime Minister John Major said that "society needs to condemn a little more, and understand a little less." [9] The trial judge Mr Justice Morland stated that exposure to violent videos might have encouraged the actions of Thompson and Venables; this was disputed by David Maclean, the Minister of State at the Home Office at the time, who said that police had found no evidence linking the case with " video nasties". [51] Thompson & Venables Recommendations as to Tariffs to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs". 26 October 2000. Archived from the original on 26 December 2005. The murder of James Bulger". Notorious murders / Young. truTV (trutv.com). Crime Library. Archived from the original on 21 January 2009.