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/8553634.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Venables 'should be identified' | Venables 'should be identified' |
(30 minutes later) | |
James Bulger's mother is calling on Jon Venables' anonymity to be taken away if he is charged over the "extremely serious allegations" he faces. | James Bulger's mother is calling on Jon Venables' anonymity to be taken away if he is charged over the "extremely serious allegations" he faces. |
Venables was released in 2001 and given a new identity after serving eight years for the murder of the toddler on Merseyside in 1993. | Venables was released in 2001 and given a new identity after serving eight years for the murder of the toddler on Merseyside in 1993. |
A report in The Sun newspaper claims Venables, now 27, is alleged to have committed a serious sexual offence. | A report in The Sun newspaper claims Venables, now 27, is alleged to have committed a serious sexual offence. |
Denise Fergus said he should face any charges under his real name. | Denise Fergus said he should face any charges under his real name. |
Speaking on behalf of the 42-year-old, spokesman Chris Johnson said Ms Fergus was "appalled" by Venables' return to jail. | Speaking on behalf of the 42-year-old, spokesman Chris Johnson said Ms Fergus was "appalled" by Venables' return to jail. |
He said she believed that if Venables were charged with any offence he "ought to go before a court in his own name". | He said she believed that if Venables were charged with any offence he "ought to go before a court in his own name". |
In her mind, if there has been an offence committed, it means that that could have been avoided Denise Fergus spokesman | In her mind, if there has been an offence committed, it means that that could have been avoided Denise Fergus spokesman |
"If after that, depending on the outcome of the court case, the powers that be decide that he should have some new identity yet again, then we'll deal with that when we come to it," said Mr Johnson. | "If after that, depending on the outcome of the court case, the powers that be decide that he should have some new identity yet again, then we'll deal with that when we come to it," said Mr Johnson. |
"But she can't understand why he doesn't appear in a dock under his own name, if that's going to be where he ends up." | "But she can't understand why he doesn't appear in a dock under his own name, if that's going to be where he ends up." |
Mr Johnson added: "She's appalled. She doesn't think that he should be at liberty anyway. | Mr Johnson added: "She's appalled. She doesn't think that he should be at liberty anyway. |
"He should really have served a sentence of something in the order of 15 years and should be coming up for parole now. | "He should really have served a sentence of something in the order of 15 years and should be coming up for parole now. |
"In her mind, if there has been an offence committed, it means that that could have been avoided." | "In her mind, if there has been an offence committed, it means that that could have been avoided." |
Jon Venables was released from prison under licence conditions | Jon Venables was released from prison under licence conditions |
Mr Straw's office has contacted Mrs Fergus to arrange a meeting, which she hopes will take place next week. | |
Venables and Robert Thompson - both aged 10 - became the UK's youngest murderers after abducting the two-year-old from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. | Venables and Robert Thompson - both aged 10 - became the UK's youngest murderers after abducting the two-year-old from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. |
Since the news broke that Venables breached his licence and had been returned to jail, ministers have refused to release details of his alleged offence. | Since the news broke that Venables breached his licence and had been returned to jail, ministers have refused to release details of his alleged offence. |
On Wednesday, the Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he believed the public "had a right to know". | On Wednesday, the Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he believed the public "had a right to know". |
But Justice Secretary Jack Straw, appearing to overrule the minister, insisted that secrecy was in the public interest - and he was later backed by the prime minister. | But Justice Secretary Jack Straw, appearing to overrule the minister, insisted that secrecy was in the public interest - and he was later backed by the prime minister. |
'Serious allegations' | 'Serious allegations' |
Mr Straw went further on Saturday, revealing in a statement that Venables faced "extremely serious allegations". | Mr Straw went further on Saturday, revealing in a statement that Venables faced "extremely serious allegations". |
"I said on Wednesday that I was unable to give further details of the reasons for Jon Venables' return to custody, because it was not in the public interest to do so," said Mr Straw. | "I said on Wednesday that I was unable to give further details of the reasons for Jon Venables' return to custody, because it was not in the public interest to do so," said Mr Straw. |
"We all feared that a premature disclosure of information would undermine the integrity of the criminal justice process, including the investigation and potential prosecution of individual(s). | "We all feared that a premature disclosure of information would undermine the integrity of the criminal justice process, including the investigation and potential prosecution of individual(s). |
"Our motivation throughout has been solely to ensure that some extremely serious allegations are properly investigated and that justice is done." | "Our motivation throughout has been solely to ensure that some extremely serious allegations are properly investigated and that justice is done." |
The BBC's Home Affairs correspondent, Danny Shaw, said government solicitors attempted to prevent The Sun publishing full details of the allegations against Venables. | The BBC's Home Affairs correspondent, Danny Shaw, said government solicitors attempted to prevent The Sun publishing full details of the allegations against Venables. |
Government sources have also told the BBC that James's mother will not be told why he is back in jail. | Government sources have also told the BBC that James's mother will not be told why he is back in jail. |
James's battered body was found by children playing on a freight railway line more than two miles from the shopping centre in February 1993. | James's battered body was found by children playing on a freight railway line more than two miles from the shopping centre in February 1993. |
Thompson and Venables were given life sentences, but released in 2001 with new identities and under certain licence conditions. | Thompson and Venables were given life sentences, but released in 2001 with new identities and under certain licence conditions. |
A court order prevents details being published which could reveal their whereabouts. | A court order prevents details being published which could reveal their whereabouts. |