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Attorney general takes legal action over online pictures of Jamie Bulger killers Attorney general takes legal action over online pictures of Jamie Bulger killers
(about 2 hours later)
The attorney general is to launch contempt proceedings against a number of individuals who have been identified as having posted photographs online purporting to be one of Jamie Bulger's killers. A number of individuals could face fines or even imprisonment for posting photographs purporting to be one of Jamie Bulger's killers online, after the attorney general said he planned to launch contempt proceedings.
Dominic Grieve is to institute legal action after pictures purporting to be those of Jon Venables, now 30, who was given a new identity following his initial release from prison, were published online. Dominic Grieve is threatening legal action after pictures purporting to be those of Jon Venables, now 30, who was given a new identity following his initial release from prison, were published online.
The pictures were first posted on 14 February and some remained online on Monday. Grieve urged that the images be removed from the internet immediately.
The sternly worded statement from Grieve's office on Monday pointed out that breaches of the original injunction, by media organisations or individuals, were potentially punishable by a fine, a prison sentence – or both.
"The injunction in place prevents publication of any images or information purporting to identify anyone as Jon Venables or Robert Thompson. The terms of the order mean that if a picture claims to be of Venables or Thompson, even if it is not actually them, there will be a breach of the order," the attorney general's office said.
"Providing details of the new identities of Venables and Thompson or their whereabouts is also prohibited – this order applies to material which is on the internet."
A court order made by Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss of the high court family division is still in force, banning publication of any information that could lead to revelation of the new identities given to Venables and his classmate Robert Thompson, who were convicted of abducting and murdering two-year-old James in Liverpool 20 years ago.A court order made by Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss of the high court family division is still in force, banning publication of any information that could lead to revelation of the new identities given to Venables and his classmate Robert Thompson, who were convicted of abducting and murdering two-year-old James in Liverpool 20 years ago.
The pictures were first posted on 14 February and some remained online on Monday. In his statement the attorney general said there were many different images circulating online purporting to be of Venables and Thompson and innocent individuals could potentially be wrongly identified as them and placed in danger.
The attorney general's office said on Monday: "The injunction in place prevents publication of any images or information purporting to identify anyone as Jon Venables or Robert Thompson. The terms of the order mean that if a picture claims to be of Venables or Thompson, even if it is not actually them, there will be a breach of the order. "The order, and its enforcement, is therefore intended to protect not only Venables and Thompson but also those members of the public who have been incorrectly identified as being one of the two men," Grieve added.
"Providing details of the new identities of Venables and Thompson or their whereabouts is also prohibited – this order applies to material which is on the internet.
"There are many different images circulating online claiming to be of Venables or Thompson; potentially innocent individuals may be wrongly identified as being one of the two men and placed in danger. The order, and its enforcement, is therefore intended to protect not only Venables and Thompson but also those members of the public who have been incorrectly identified as being one of the two men.
"The injunction applies to both media organisations and individuals. Anyone who has posted material online which is in breach of the terms of the order should remove this material immediately. Breaches of the order may be a contempt of court punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.
"It is also a criminal offence to encourage others to commit acts of violence or to publish online malicious communications. The police will investigate and arrest individuals believed to be responsible for such acts.""It is also a criminal offence to encourage others to commit acts of violence or to publish online malicious communications. The police will investigate and arrest individuals believed to be responsible for such acts."
Chris Hutchings, a lawyer with Hamlins Solicitors, said: "This case highlights the huge challenges presented by online media. It is arguably impossible in this age of online media to prevent injunctions being breached. But if the attorney general is taking action against individuals despite this, that should have an inhibiting effect. I'm sure his motivation is to deter others from repeating the offence."
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