His mates called him a girl because whenever there was something on his mind he sucked his thumb. Ultimately, however, the couples indifferences led to separation, and they were eventually divorced in 1986. She was prone to hysteria and hailed from a 'strict and disciplined' background. Nine months later, I was one of 30 or so journalists inside Preston Crown Court when the trial began. "One mystery surrounding the murder of James Bulger case is why the 'experts' insisted that Jon Venables was rehabilitated. When she turned around moments later, her son was gone. A torrent of questions erupted from the moment the grim news came out that James Bulger's body had been found on a railway line in Liverpool and the last people seen with him were two ten-year-olds, captured on grainy CCTV footage. In a 1993 interview, published in the Guardian newspaper just one day after Robert was convicted of the murder of James Bulger, Ann Thompson was quick to place fault on the neighborhood and the surrounding authorities, who she felt had failed both her and her sons. It was so stressful trying to contain him. Now we waited. In the business world, too many people think it's all about being hard, tough, ambitious, or having grit. Susan Venable - we found 141 people search records: 55 CVs and social profiles with photos, 50 addresses & phone numbers, 1 real estate objects, 6 Susan Venable's cars, 2 companies. The trial though didnt, and was never designed to, shed light on how two such young children could be guilty of such sustained barbarity. Mrs Venables said: 'I think it was because the class group was too big for them to go in . Susan Venables has blamed "weakness" for her son's role in the killing of James Bulger, claiming that he "got involved with the wrong person". But. He said he was frightened of Robert's older brother. James Bulgers mother Denise claims that she managed to track down Thompson six years ago, planning to confront him but instead stared at him from the opposite side of the street, full of rage but unable to act. He had a Game Boy console and hankered after a Sega machine, and when they played truant he would head straight for the computer game corner of Tandy's or Dixons. What they did was exceptionally unpleasant and the fact that a little boy ended up dead is not something the nation can easily forget. He was too scared to be naughty on his own. Once the jury retired, so did the journalists - but we didnt go far. I got on with my job, but months later the impact of that trial had sunk in and a difficult, tearful, confusing year followed for me. I wish we could turn the clocks back," Mrs Venablessaid. and things like that is that he was frightened. Jon Venables said the class teacher tried to entice Robert by offering him a prize for a week's continual attendance - he did, but the prize never came. . Southern. ANN THOMPSON, the mother of Robert Thompson, child A, says her son is a thief, a liar, is devious and plays truant. 'In my opinion he was victimised. The abduction and brutal murder of this two-year-old by Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, who were just 10 at the time, prompted a conversation in Britain that we are still having today. - a grey heron in Asawn, Southern Egypt. Celestial. Our feelings haven't changed towards him. I would say he was provoked. [3] [4] Thompson and Venables led Bulger away . By then, Robert and Jon had abducted James Bulger from the Strand and attempted to drown him in the nearby canal. "He fell over," was the response. sp. Most people would regard such sentiments as having come rather late in the day and certainly too late to save poor James. ', The closest either boy came to offering an explanation was when Jon was asked by police why he had taken James's shoe off by the railway tracks. She said that Jon was always "loving, caring, thoughtful and considerate . Robert said 'If you tell anybody I'll get my big brother to batter you up'. Thompson, who gained five GCSEs and A-levels in design and technology, is said to have developed an interest in theatre. In Jon's case, 'hyperactivity' went beyond mere fidgeting into outbursts of sudden anger and violence. We are proud to endorse the COP27 Leather Manifesto. He was fearful of the other boy. On one occasion one of Anns sons let his real name slip at school and they had to move almost at once, says. Pictures; Inside the Guardian; Guardian Weekly . Most of the fun revolved around shoplifting - sweets, trolls, pepperami, tins of modelling paint, drinks, candles; anything, really. Neil Venables regarded himself as the Barry Norman of Merseyside - a film buff with a penchant for horror. Nicola had to exchange some clothes at TJ Hughes, Denise waited nearby, watching the children. Apart from Jon's incident with the ruler, there had been no record of previous violence. "In order that justice can be done, no further details are being released at this stage and the proceedings are subject to reporting restrictions.". He was also given 'respite care' - six weekly weekend breaks to relieve the family of the burden of looking after him. A heartstopping moment came when the playing of the tapes in court was paused. "The report of the Prison Service into an incident at Red Bank secure unit has not been published. 'I sat away from him - he caused trouble,' Jon said. Good people asked the boys if they were lost or urged them to take "their baby brother" home as he cried for his mummy. Heck, we don't even have murderers that young in New York.'. I just heard an almighty screech. Facebook gives people the power. I am not sure if in fact he was seen by the school psychologist, but I did complete a form for him.. I didnt, did I? she said to Neil during their interview with Gitta Sereny. Will you tell his Mum Im sorry?. Venables and Thompson abducted, tortured and killed two-year-old James in Liverpool in 1993 when they were both aged just 10. Susan, aged 36, a sharp woman . 'They would say 'take your son home'. They were in the Strand shopping centre in Bootle when the brother wandered off. I wish we could turn the clocks back,' Mrs Venables, 36, said. "My heart really goes out to them. But however hollow a gesture it might have seemed, those who are in touch with the Thompson and Venables families insist that they have sought to make some sort of amends with their sons after the horrific events of 17 years ago that will rightly stay with them for the rest of their lives. Grainy CCTV footage shows them walking James away from the Strand . And in Lower Lane police station when he was being questioned about the murder she had to be told that her harsh words were inhibiting him from confessing. I didnt connect the dots until much later on. Mrs Venables has also said that she felt. "In terms of knowing what the full consequences of your actions are, you are into older childhood or adolescence. fn ye vw la. Then between 1990 and 1991, Jons teachers recognized a dramatic change in the boys behavior, which was alarming enough for one of his teachers to begin keeping a daily log. The atmosphere in the courtroom was oppressive as the tension of a month was about to break. God knows how they must be feeling now.. Something went wrong, please try again later. He said he was frightened of Robert's older brother. Susan Venables, now 53, suffered from severe depres-sion and struggled with her two other children, an older son and younger daughter, who suffered learning difficulties. The statement said: "The man formerly known as Jon Venables has been charged with offences relating to indecent images of children and will appear in the Crown Court. "On the other hand, you are looking at him and you are saying 'Well, I know why - because he is so weak'. Unemployment levels were more than twice the national average in Walton. The beginnings of the friendship were inauspicious enough. Aged 10, he was barely literate. Moments later, we were told, Jon Venables uttered the words, We did it. All information on this page is true to my knowledge, and is not intended to diminish or justify either boys actions in any way whatsoever. Since his 14-year-old brother, Phillip , had already tried to stab him, the social services agreed. His body, defiled and broken in two by a train, two miles from where hed been taken, was foundtwo days later. 'I didn't know it would be like this,' Mr Venables said with hindsight. . His mother cared about him. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Their parents entered the courtroom; The Venables arrived together, Ann Thompson came with supporters but no sign of Robert's father. 'When you have got people in the area threatening to blow your kneecaps off every moment of the day - that's just the way they are. . Robert always wanted to stay out late and encouraged Jon to join him. He started with Liverpool, but by the time of the murder he had switched to Blackburn Rovers. He has never really been what you would call a sagger off school (a truant). You know, we just try and help him as best we can to try to come to terms with things. The citys worst instincts produced the wrongful hounding of a family whose sons people decided were responsible. James Bulger would now be weeks away from his 23rd birthday. 'I even went up to the railway line because I knew the other boy had a den up there and was on the railway nearly all the time.'. In some families this was the third generation to be unemployed. Will you tell his mum I'm sorry?". She would arrive at the secure unit with food parcels and is said to be proud of his achievements since the crime. Once they went into a home decoration shop and hid under a pile of carpets. I'm warning yer,' she would say. Witness after witness who had seen them, or stopped and asked them what was going on, took the stand. Jon was also mad on computers. I barely need to refer to my notes to remember in great detail the events that would dominate British news for years. Every day the public gallery was packed with students, pensioners, mothers, teenagers, all drawn to the courtroom spectacle as to a TV soap. fun to be with". Just four years earlier, we had all covered the Hillsborough disaster and come together in grief. But he is not a murderer. He was pale in complexion and had watery brown, listless eyes. The Crown Prosecution Service released a statement in January confirming Venables had been charged. Or they would mess around in shops, playing on computer games if Robert had his way, sliding on the polished floors if Jon had his. He was given a new name, a job and a flat on his release to try to ensure his security . Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter', Why half of India's urban women stay at home. He was always getting prizes for maths at school. Everton was his team. yet, as Venables is back behind bars. At first, Robert seemed to respond well to this, taking the initiative to help feed and clothe the baby, and doing what he could to please his mother. Although he appeared to have the more stable upbringing of the two boys, there was a history of family problems. . his mother was told that it was important that she stayed in his life and stood by him. March 10, 2021 - 20:29 GMT Eve Crosbie. Denise Fergus is the same age as me, a fact I only registered when I met her for the first time two weeks ago. . "Just to let you know that even though footage was used of me on the CH4 programme, I had no part in it," she tweeted. If it suited his moodwhich it frequently didBobby would beat the boys, curse at them, and threaten to send them to a home for children who misbehaved. Susan Venables agreed but on condition that she saw her son first. I dont think she saw a very happy future., The author says there was no contact with the Venables family after the trial as Mrs Thompson focused, her energy on supporting her son, refusing to accept he was a monster. They went on family outings together, slept together, and when Susan did find a place, virtually coexisted between the two homes. The hardliners in the police have a simpler explanation. He was jailed for two years before being granted parole again in July 2013. Words with the drawing, full of spelling mistakes and grammatical. These are the words of an officer who was in the police station when DCI Geoff MacDonald of Merseyside Police broke the news to Denise that James was dead. The experience gave Jon renewed confidence, and the second time they sagged off together he suggested it. The boys, by now lacking any sense of guidance within the home, took to the streets, robbing, truanting, and some of them experimenting with drugs. With Neil seldom in contact with Susan or the children during this time, Susan was forced to contend with Jons escalating troubles alone, sometimes taking her own frustrations out on the children. has prompted a public outcry for an investigation into issues surrounding the case. Mrs Venables described how she searched for Jon. "The age of criminal responsibility in this country is 10 that's too low. She was paranoid about being discovered. "BULL**** about 'two frightened kids whod made a terrible mistake' The tapes said they kept stoning him, even when he kept getting up. The petition, that now has 14,682 signatures, reads: "We want a Public Inquiry into the James Bulger murder case. At Preston Crown Court a few months later, I was one of a handful of journalists given full access to the small courtroom for the trial of Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both now 11-years-old. A newspaper man from Detroit said it was because 'Liverpool is the Beatles and love, love, love. Susan Venables Facebook: susan.venables.9 Lives in Mellor, Blackburn With Darwen, . He's quite bright and clever. 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. In contrast he has had no contact with his father despite an approach soon after sentencing. Robert was number five of seven. Sandra Gotheridge. From the start, Jon was drawn and repulsed by Robbie like opposite and equal poles of a magnet. The haunting words of Jon Venables' parents only interview have resurfaced, twenty five years after he killed tot Jamie Bulger. A day later she would face much worse. He didn't want to hurt James. Just having a bit of shade!! Ann Thompson and Susan and Neil Venables didn't need to imagine. Constantly fighting and battering one another, and possibly, too, being hit by their emotionally drained mother, the Thompson brothers often looked scruffy, and, on more than one occasion, were seen bearing bruises and bite marks. I feel so sorry for them. When the court was played Jon's taped descriptions of how they had truanted they simultaneously smiled. His response couldn't have been more different as he sank into the oversized blazer he was wearing. He would call people names and get them to chase him. He wanted a Rovers strip for his birthday present. Then, one Friday in February, they discovered a new rule to break: they murdered a two-year-old. Ironically, Jon was the child who caused his parents least anxiety. The documentary on the James Bulger murder case sparked anger after viewers criticised the Channel 4 show for "sympathising" with the toddler's killers. Whatever problems she had in her own life, she was always there. Absence of a male role model is increasingly being explored - by both left and right - as one of the main reasons why today's boys and young men are going wrong; why 90 per cent of indictable offences are committed by men. To do that he put on the witness stand all those people who had seen the three boys on the route from the shopping centre to the railway line. On one occasion, he said, Robert ran off down the street laughing, "You can't catch me". Their faces affected me deeply. "My heart really goes out to them. The shocking murder that shook the nation, Both Venables and Robert Thompson were 10 years-old when they tortured and killed 2 year-old James Bulger, Thompson and Venables were tried as adults, James Bulger, aged 2 years old, being led away in a shopping centre in Liverpool, Denise Fergus denied having anything to do with the Channel 4 documentary about her son, James Bulger's murder case could now be investigated, The petition is on nearly 15,000 signatures, James Bulger was just two when he was brutally murdered, He had been out shopping with his mum Denise, James was made to walk two miles before being left for dead on a disused rail line, Denise tirelessly campaigned to have their sentence increased, Denise once admitted she's lived 'in fear' since the trial. Architect Shahed Saleem in the Ramadan Pavilion 2023 at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It is time to examine all this.". He was fearful, he was weak and he was provoked. When they finally came to a disused railway track near the police station, the murderous duo tortured James, throwing stones and bricks at the baby, and kicking and stamping on him before finally dropping a heavy iron bar on to the defenceless tot. Another time they were saucy and asked a sales girl if she stocked 'fishy nickers'. It was the kind of family neighbours compare themselves against and then feel better. Resentful of her husbands lack of involvement with the children, Susan conceded that the couple fought constantly, especially throughout 1983, but maintained that Neil had never been aggressive towards her, nor had she hit him. "He tends to be a bit hyperactive so his concentration did go a bit, but apart from that he is quite bright, no worries.". They would sneak out during the morning break, hiding behind a wall before the coast was clear. Asked later if he could recall a time when his brother had exhibited any unusually aggressive tendencies, Roberts brother said no: Hes frightened of his own shadow. Nonetheless, in hindsight, its safe to assume that by 1993, ten-year-old Robert was swiftly approaching crisis point., Alarmingly, some of the neighboring children later claimed to have seen Robert behave cruelly towards animals, and pull the heads off of baby pigeons, although this was never unequivocally confirmed. He also liked to scare old ladies by jumping out in front of their noses. she said. Some neighbours claim they saw the boy snaring birds into traps in the back yard of his home, while one local youth claimed he saw the boy pull the heads off live baby pigeons. At the trialnine months laterI would learn that Robert Thompson had been among those people. They have never come out of hiding. His parents say he is 'broken-hearted'. I made notes of the pathologists evidence. He wore his dark hair short, almost a crew cut, which accentuated his ample forehead and blunt nose. On the 20 year anniversary of the murder of James Bulger, BBC Radio 5 Live's Shelagh Fogarty recalls the trial of his young killers. release. "Throughout the conduct of the case there have been a number of issues that have been swept under the carpet. They and Ann Thompson, who has six other. But viewers were shocked when experts "defended" the 10-year-old murderers saying they made "an awful mistake". He stayed away from school so often the local police called him a professional truant. Englands Ollie Chessum dives in to score his sides second try during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London, Sam Smith arrives for the Brit Awards ceremony, A robin redbreast takes flight in Dublins botanic gardens. I don't think so. As a result of the incident, Jon's mother decided to move him to another school. Mrs Thompson claimed she had been the victim of revenge attacks after her identity became known. She visited regularly and they would hold family anniversaries in the, place where he was held. That means he is currently 35-years-old. Among the list were several horror films, including one video in which the police took special interest: Child's Play 3, a film which carries the line 'Children are consumer trainees'. They looked, moved, fidgeted, scratched, cried - even sucked their thumbs - just like any 11-year-olds. Friday 12th February 1993. By now the Venables were reunited as a result of the court case. "You look at him and you say to yourself, 'How could you be involved in anything like this?'" Why would I want to kill him? he said, referring to the slain toddler. She found it hard bringing the kids up in the neighbourhood. As their sweet voices rang around the courtroom, Venables hid his face in his oversized blazer and cried. It's high time they were investigated. One could draw some parallels between the film's plot and James Bulger's death. Such pleasantries were not for Robbie. THE first time the boys set eyes on each other after they were arrested was in Preston crown court 3 1/2 weeks ago. however, as the incident in the playground shows, the ever-present threat of discovery cast a constant shadow over anyone related to the two murderers. He was in great distress' And what about the little, innocent boy he killed??! Jon spent Sunday to Thursday with his mum and the rest of every week with his dad. A parole board ruled that Thompson and Venables were no longer a threat. One woman asked how James had injured his forehead. David Sharrock, Maggie O'Kane, and Edward Pilkington look at the lives of the rebels who turned to killing, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. After spending just eight years in custody, Britain's youngest killers were released and given lifetime anonymity in the UK. They didnt kill him in an accident it was premeditated and they tortured that poor baby. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. She initially enrolled the two younger children in Broad Square Elementary, but it soon became clear that her daughter was struggling to keep up with the schools curriculum. Their kids have got everything. The mayor of Preston accused them of being sick ghouls, but still they came, queuing up for tickets two hours before proceedings began. Jobs were few and far between. Get out and get into Dyson Hall children's centre, the only residential care school in the country just outside Liverpool. Toddler James Bulger disappeared on February 12 1993. Venables and Thompson were seen on CCTV calmly leading the toddler out of the shopping centre by his hand. football, snooker, things like that. As the paedophile killer pleaded guilty on Wednesday to possessing more than 1,000 indecent images of children and a "paedo manual" - his parents words on their son's involvement make disturbing reading. Three years ago, after his mother walloped him, he went to social services and asked them to put him in care. his killers were just 10 years old and attention focused on their upbringing and dysfunctional home life. So much happened whilst I was there involving Jon. Lock him in it.'. She said that Jon was always "loving, caring, thoughtful and considerate . Who knows. It worked. There was a pattern of bullying, with the older boys picking on their younger brothers down the line. Between January and the day of the murder Robert had absconded 37 half days out of a possible 60 . I came back and then (Mrs Venables) went out. Its beyond me," one viewer tweeted. Once Robert shared with him a tin of Roses chocolates which he had poured surreptitiously into his coat pocket. "Youngsters are usually tried in a youth court, [Thompson and Venables] were tried in an adult court. This time we came together in shock and disbelief. Susan seemed happy with the arrangement, although, for the children, this type of relationship would have been just one more confusing anomaly to cope with in the wake of an already confusing time in their young lives. I thought he was all right, Jon said of Robert during his police interviews. He was jailed for two years before being granted parole again in July 2013.. James' mother Denise believes they should have remained in jail for life and has tirelessly campaigned against their rights to anonymity. The final scene takes place among the tracks of a fun-fair ghost train where the doll, which resembles an infant with spiky hair has his face slashed before he is cut to pieces by a ventilator fan. She spent much of her time at the pub after that, and rarely stayed in for a meal. The pair was tried for the abduction and murder of James as adults owing to the fact they were over 10, which is legally deemed to be the age of criminal responsibility. . We feel so sorry for him because he must be going through so much torment. 'His mum was more strict. Only two people can answer the question, and even their ability is doubtful. But that is the common lot of thousands of 10-year-olds who have not turned into murderers. A sudden pause in the tapes and one of the officers appeared in person to describe how he asked Neil and Susan Venables to leave the room because he thought Jon wanted to tell him something. and things like that is that he was frightened. ", 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.". Wiping away tears, he went on: 'I feel for that family. Mrs Thompson worked as an office cleaner until two years ago, when she got pregnant again by another man, who also left her. 'We have never really been apart,' Mrs Venables said. He began telling his father that he believed his parents loved his brother and sister more than they did him, and, at one point, implored his father to send him to school with his siblings. Any anxiety or animosity he might have felt was manifested largely through his school-aged thumb-sucking, a habit which elicited titters and taunts from the neighborhood children. During the Bulger investigation, police checked the details of 50 videos Mr Venables had hired in recent months. After they became friends he initiated Jon into the delights of climbing into people's back gardens and the consequent thrill of being chased out by the owners. We still dont know why. After a while the boys became used to it. In quest of companionship, he occasionally bullied his younger brother into truanting with him, and, in an effort to impress his peers, frequently boasted of his late-night exploits on the railway line, but failed to attract much attention. The guilty verdicts came quickly - within five hours. Counsel for the prosecution, Richard Henriques QC, made it clear all three elements needed to be proved for a murder conviction. Mr Venables said it had never crossed their minds that the video pictures from the security cameras in the shopping centre from which James went missing showed their own son. But Robert was stuck in Walton with his older brothers and the baby. ', Mrs Thompson had no illusions about her son: 'He's a little liar, he's devious, he's a scally, he robs, he plays truant.' The case of James, a two-year-old who was snatched from a shopping centre in Bootle, Liverpool, in 1993, before being tortured and left to die, shocked the nation. Not for long though. In March 2010, Venables was recalled to prison for downloading and distributing more than 100 images of child abuse.