Vandals have smashed two angel statues on the grave of James Bulger, the toddler murdered by two 10-year-old boys 30 years ago.
Denise Fergus, James’ mother, wrote on social media that her son’s grave in Kirkdale Cemetery, on Merseyside, had been damaged, with the heads of the two statues on either side of his headstone broken off and left on the ground.
She appealed for information to help police investigate the incident, saying she was “devastated that someone could be so cruel and hurtful to my James”.
Merseyside Police also issued an appeal as it investigated the suspected vandalism, believed to have happened on Thursday. A smaller angel was also put in a bin, and a yellow teddy bear was stolen.
James was 2 years old when he was abducted, tortured and murdered on February 12, 1993, by Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, who were both 10.
Both were found guilty of murder and abduction, making them the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history.
In her social media post on Thursday, Fergus said: “Today I felt my heart break once again. We got a message from a lady walking her dog at the cemetery where James’ resting place is. She sadly told us his headstone and surround had been vandalised.
“We rushed down there to find the cherubs each side of his headstone had been smashed to pieces. I need to find whoever [has] done this to my son’s resting place.
“I try to help as many families as I can with either justice campaigns or helping families through the charity I set up in his memory and some horrid b****** has done this... to a baby’s grave! Really??”
Officers attended the scene and offered support to the family. The force carried out initial inquiries, which included a search of the area. Police are investigating any CCTV footage and witness opportunities.
Inspector Chris Taylor, Merseyside’s local policing inspector, said: “We are taking this matter extremely seriously, and remain determined to find the person or people responsible.
“To vandalise a grave is completely abhorrent, and it’s truly shocking to think that someone could commit such an appalling act. Officers attended the scene when the incident was first reported, and we are supporting the family during our inquiries.
“If you were in the area and saw anything suspicious or have any information about what happened, please get in touch as a matter of urgency. We believe the vandalism was caused at some point between 9am and around 3pm, so if you know anything, come forward.”
Earlier this year, Fergus criticised the fact that Venables, now 43, was granted another parole hearing. He was released on licence in July 2001 and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was freed again in August 2013 and then recalled to prison in November 2017 for the same offence and jailed for three years and four months.
Fergus has been granted access to attend one of Venables’ parole hearings for the first time. She will be taken to a secret prison or court facility to participate in the hearing, where Venables’ identity will remain protected, though she will hear his voice via video link from a separate chamber.
Parole chiefs are likely to hear mitigation from Venables about why he believes he has been rehabilitated – the first time the grieving mother has heard the voice of one of her son’s killers in 30 years.
Fergus said: “It is distressing and frankly makes me angry that I’ve now been told that James’s killer will be afforded a parole hearing and a chance of release. Surely this person has proved he cannot be given yet another chance, yet he’s been given one.
“The Parole Board must remember he’s not a 10-year-old any more. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s got more wits about him. He’s been educated to lie to his back teeth.
“My worry is that if he’s released, he’ll lose that protection, he’ll be looking over his shoulder the whole time, he’ll have a target on his back. He’s not going to like it in the real world. What is he going to do to get back inside?”
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