This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8546528.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Bulger murderer returned to jail | Bulger murderer returned to jail |
(20 minutes later) | |
One of James Bulger's killers has been returned to prison after he breached the terms of his release. | One of James Bulger's killers has been returned to prison after he breached the terms of his release. |
Jon Venables, 27, is back in jail after being released on life licence in 2001. | Jon Venables, 27, is back in jail after being released on life licence in 2001. |
In 1993 he was detained with his friend Robert Thompson for the horrific murder of the two-year-old toddler in Bootle, Liverpool. | In 1993 he was detained with his friend Robert Thompson for the horrific murder of the two-year-old toddler in Bootle, Liverpool. |
The Ministry of Justice said: "We can confirm that Jon Venables has been recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions." | The Ministry of Justice said: "We can confirm that Jon Venables has been recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions." |
Details of the nature of the breach were not released. | Details of the nature of the breach were not released. |
Venables solicitor, Laurence Lee, told the BBC: "He could have been recalled on licence if he committed an offence, it could be that he returned to Merseyside, it could be he might have approached the family. | Venables solicitor, Laurence Lee, told the BBC: "He could have been recalled on licence if he committed an offence, it could be that he returned to Merseyside, it could be he might have approached the family. |
"There is no evidence so far that he did any of these things." | "There is no evidence so far that he did any of these things." |
Venables was released from custody in 2001 and given a new identity | Venables was released from custody in 2001 and given a new identity |
Retired Detective Superintendent Albert Kirby, who led the murder inquiry, said he was surprised Venables was back behind bars. | |
He added: "I've always thought, with regards to that particular boy, that from what we've heard over the years there was every possibility he would have avoided going back into prison." | |
A relative of Denise Fergus, James' mother, said the family had no plans to comment on Venables return to prison at this time. | |
On 13 February, 1993, Venables and Thompson abducted James from a shopping centre in Bootle and killed him on a railway line. | On 13 February, 1993, Venables and Thompson abducted James from a shopping centre in Bootle and killed him on a railway line. |
A week-long appeal followed, with CCTV footage being released of the little boy holding the hand of one of his killers as he was led out of the Strand shopping centre. | A week-long appeal followed, with CCTV footage being released of the little boy holding the hand of one of his killers as he was led out of the Strand shopping centre. |
The toddler had been approached and befriended by the two boys while his mother, Denise, was in a shop. | The toddler had been approached and befriended by the two boys while his mother, Denise, was in a shop. |
'Unparalleled barbarity' | |
James's body was found by children playing on a freight railway line near Walton Lane police station. | |
He had been beaten to death with bricks and an iron bar. | He had been beaten to death with bricks and an iron bar. |
The 10-year-old killers were arrested days later and became the youngest to be charged with murder in the 20th Century. | The 10-year-old killers were arrested days later and became the youngest to be charged with murder in the 20th Century. |
Thompson and Venables are not free - they will remain on life licence for the rest of their lives The Home Secretary David Blunkett in 2001 class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8546544.stm">What the Home Secretary said | |
Eight months later they were convicted following a 17-day trial at Preston Crown Court and ordered to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure. | |
Trial judge Mr Justice Morland told the pair they had committed a crime of "unparalleled evil and barbarity". | Trial judge Mr Justice Morland told the pair they had committed a crime of "unparalleled evil and barbarity". |
In 1999 the European Court of Human Rights decided they should not have been tried in an adult court. | |
Despite public outcry, two years later the parole board recommended their release as they "were no longer a danger to society". | |
More than 300,000 people signed a petition saying the sentence of eight years was too short. | |
Both Thompson and Venables were given new identities when they were released after serving eight years in custody. |