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| Bulger murderer returned to jail | Bulger murderer returned to jail |
| (10 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. | |
| "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. | 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." | 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's 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' | 'Unparalleled barbarity' |
| James's body was found by children playing on a freight railway line near Walton Lane police station. | 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 What the Home Secretary said | 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 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | Both Thompson and Venables were given new identities when they were released after serving eight years in custody. |