Man arrested after James Bulger’s grave vandalised for the second time in weeks
Police say a man has been arrested after James Bulger’s grave was vandalized.
Two-year-old James was tortured and murdered by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, then 10, after he was abducted from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.
This week it was reported that the teenager’s grave at Liverpool’s Kirkdale Cemetery had been damaged for the second time in six weeks.
Merseyside Police said a 78-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and theft.
Police said they were notified that the damage to the grave was discovered at 1.20pm on Friday and the arrest was made at 4.10pm.
Interim Detective Inspector Viki Lanceley said: “A man has now been arrested and we will continue to update and support James’ family as the investigation progresses.
“I would encourage anyone with information to contact police directly as soon as possible.”
Venables and Thompson were jailed in November 1993 after the pair of 10-year-olds committed one of the most notorious crimes in British history.
Both boys were released on license under new identities in June 2001, but Venables was arrested for fighting and cocaine possession in late 2008.
He was later recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was released once again in August 2013 and summoned again for the same offense in November 2017; Parole judges reconsidered the case in September 2020.
In 2023, the Parole Board rejected the offer, finding that he still posed a danger to children and could continue to reoffend.
In January, it was reported that Venables’ final bid for freedom was scheduled to be heard by the Parole Board, and James’ family was informed of this news. However, no date has been approved by the Parole Board.
