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/8546834.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Bulger killer 'where he belongs' Bulger killer 'where he belongs'
(about 2 hours later)
The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has said killer Jon Venables is "where he belongs behind bars". The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has said killer Jon Venables is "where he belongs, behind bars".
In her first reaction to his return to custody, Denise Fergus also said on Twitter, "is this my [son's justice?]".In her first reaction to his return to custody, Denise Fergus also said on Twitter, "is this my [son's justice?]".
Venables, 27, was recalled to prison last week after breaching the terms of his release. He and Robert Thompson killed James on Merseyside in 1993.Venables, 27, was recalled to prison last week after breaching the terms of his release. He and Robert Thompson killed James on Merseyside in 1993.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he could not give details of why Venables was back in custody.Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he could not give details of why Venables was back in custody.
Venables' solicitor at the time of the trial told the BBC he would be surprised if he had contacted Thomson or returned to Merseyside.Venables' solicitor at the time of the trial told the BBC he would be surprised if he had contacted Thomson or returned to Merseyside.
Two-year-old James was abducted by Venables and Thompson while at the Strand shopping centre in Bootle.Two-year-old James was abducted by Venables and Thompson while at the Strand shopping centre in Bootle.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson could not give details of why Venables was back in custodyHome Secretary Alan Johnson could not give details of why Venables was back in custody
His battered body was found by children playing on a freight railway line more than two miles from the shopping centre, and 200 yards from Walton Lane police station in Liverpool.His battered body was found by children playing on a freight railway line more than two miles from the shopping centre, and 200 yards from Walton Lane police station in Liverpool.
The killers were given life sentences, but released in 2001 with new identities and under certain licence conditions.
Family members said Mrs Fergus remained unaware of the nature of Venables' breach. The precise details were not released by the Ministry of Justice.Family members said Mrs Fergus remained unaware of the nature of Venables' breach. The precise details were not released by the Ministry of Justice.
Both Thompson and Venables were given new identities when they were released. An order prohibiting the publication of details which could reveal their whereabouts has since remained in place.Both Thompson and Venables were given new identities when they were released. An order prohibiting the publication of details which could reveal their whereabouts has since remained in place.
ANALYSIS Danny Shaw,Home affairs correspondent It's understood from an official source that this is the first time that Jon Venables has been recalled to prison.
The Parole Board is not officially involved in the case but will be soon and will have the case papers sent to them within 28 days.
At some point, a three person Parole Board tribunal will be set up - chaired by a judge - to determine if it's safe to release Venables or not. It may take some time to convene the hearing as fresh reports may need to be gathered.
The parents of James Bulger have the right to make a written statement and to read it out, if they wish, at the parole hearing.
Hearings of this type are normally held in the prison where the offender is held, but it's possible because of the high profile of the case that it will be moved to another venue. It is not a public hearing.
Experts in this area say that when life licence offenders are recalled to prison it is more likely to be because they've been charged with an offence or because their behaviour causes a concern that they pose a risk to the public.
Offenders can also be recalled for not complying with their specific release conditions.
Speaking on the BBC News Channel on Wednesday morning, Home Secretary Alan Johnson declined to reveal the reasons behind Venables' recall to custody.Speaking on the BBC News Channel on Wednesday morning, Home Secretary Alan Johnson declined to reveal the reasons behind Venables' recall to custody.
ANALYSIS Dominic Casciani, BBC News When Jon Venables walked out of prison in 2001, it was not as a free man. His release came because the Parole Board decided the public would be safe if he were allowed into the community on a licence that includes strict conditions.
A criminal's recall to prison is triggered by one of three circumstances. He either committed a crime, showed the signs that he was about to, or breached specific conditions imposed. Breaches can be technical, such as being out of the home at the exact start of a curfew, or far more serious, such as contacting a victim's family.
Venables will be told why he is back inside and he can seek a full oral hearing before the Parole Board. But with public protection being the top priority, the panel will start with the case for keeping him inside, rather than the argument for letting him out.
"You know I cannot say anything more than confirm the fact that Jon Venables is back in custody," he said."You know I cannot say anything more than confirm the fact that Jon Venables is back in custody," he said.
"I talked to Jack Straw earlier on today, the Justice Secretary, and of course we understand that the public want to know more about this."I talked to Jack Straw earlier on today, the Justice Secretary, and of course we understand that the public want to know more about this.
"At this stage I'm afraid I can't say anything more. There is a worldwide injunction on Jon Venables in relation to his new identity."At this stage I'm afraid I can't say anything more. There is a worldwide injunction on Jon Venables in relation to his new identity.
"There is also a process to be gone through. So at this stage I cannot say anything more than you already know. Which is to confirm the fact that he is back in custody."There is also a process to be gone through. So at this stage I cannot say anything more than you already know. Which is to confirm the fact that he is back in custody.
"I would expect more information to be available at some stage.""I would expect more information to be available at some stage."
He added that it was very important that the licence conditions were observed very closely, and if breached that Jon Venables was brought back into custody.He added that it was very important that the licence conditions were observed very closely, and if breached that Jon Venables was brought back into custody.
"The reason why this has emerged is we had to make sure the family knew before it was public knowledge."The reason why this has emerged is we had to make sure the family knew before it was public knowledge.
"Similarly, anything else that emerges in this case should emerge to the family before it emerges to the wider public.""Similarly, anything else that emerges in this case should emerge to the family before it emerges to the wider public."
Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of Napo, the probation union, said Venables could have been recalled to custody under two procedures.Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of Napo, the probation union, said Venables could have been recalled to custody under two procedures.
Venables was released from custody in 2001 and given a new identityVenables was released from custody in 2001 and given a new identity
It could be an emergency procedure in which he would have to be charged with a serious offence, or a standard incident, perhaps involving a technicality such as a failure to keep appointments with a probation officer, Mr Fletcher said.It could be an emergency procedure in which he would have to be charged with a serious offence, or a standard incident, perhaps involving a technicality such as a failure to keep appointments with a probation officer, Mr Fletcher said.
In an interview on BBC Radio Merseyside, Venables' solicitor at the trial, Laurence Lee, said it was a "bit early to condemn him completely until we know what he has done".In an interview on BBC Radio Merseyside, Venables' solicitor at the trial, Laurence Lee, said it was a "bit early to condemn him completely until we know what he has done".
He added: "If he went to Merseyside when he shouldn't have done or if he contacted Thomson, goodness knows why he should, going by the hatred that developed on the part of Venables towards him, I'd be surprised.He added: "If he went to Merseyside when he shouldn't have done or if he contacted Thomson, goodness knows why he should, going by the hatred that developed on the part of Venables towards him, I'd be surprised.
"But if it's a breach of a condition not to go somewhere or not to speak to somebody or not to carry out certain meetings, that kind of thing, then it should be a minor breach and presumably he wouldn't be in custody for long.""But if it's a breach of a condition not to go somewhere or not to speak to somebody or not to carry out certain meetings, that kind of thing, then it should be a minor breach and presumably he wouldn't be in custody for long."