Lost Boy - The Killing Of James Bulger

[Smowball]

Confined to bed last night this came on, and while I didn’t really want to watch it once it started I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing and was transfixed. Even though I remembered a lot of the story I was still horrified at loads. The way they grabbed his little hand and had him out of that shopping centre within 90 seconds. The way that John said to Robert sudddenly “ Shall we kill him??”. They walked him 2.5 miles, repeatedly attacked him, abused him, threw paint over him and then just each strolled home!! Even in the interviews Robert kept calling James ‘the baby’.....
How the officers managed to deal with that I do not know.
And the fact that the boys only were sentenced to 8 years each is beyond my comprehension. And given new identities. And if anyone identifies them publicly now then THEY will be sentenced and fined!
All is know is that Thompson never re-offended again, Veneables was jailed again for having a safe in his house with over 1000 indecent images of little children, and a book on how to rape little girls.......
Don’t think I will ever read such a shocking, repulsive, sickening story again in my life x

[emmie]

i wouldn't watch it to be honest. I know the story but not all the intricate details... nor do i wish to. I know they got off lightly, and indeed Veneables is still in prison where he truly belongs.

[Smowball]

Apparently Veneables has said he is quite happy in prison.

[emmie]

then the little toerag can stay there.

[pixie374]

I have seen a couple of documentaries about it, although possibly not that one. It is absolutely sickening. I wonder though whether the sentencing depends on when they became adults? Maybe there is a different process then.
It's odd, I find, in a way, that people find child killers so much worse than adult ones, who really do know better.

[Smowball]

I read that the justice system said they were too young at 10 to face trial. But old enough to murder a 2 yrs old. I honestly can’t get my head round it.

[emmie]

its because its so rare, children as killers, most can't get their heads round two little boys killing a baby.

[ladybirder]

I wish they'd stop showing films about him. It must be agony for James's parents.

[barry1010]

But they did stand trial, Smow.

[barry1010]

Mary Bell doesn't get much of a mention. She murdered two boys aged 3 and 4 in 1968 when she was 10 for 'pleasure and excitement'
She was released from prison when she was 23 and now lives a normal life and has a daughter of her own.

[pixie374]

Realistically, children have a much better chance of rehabilitating than adults. I just hope they are exceptionally careful with their assessments.

[Smowball]

Did they Barry? Ok well they tried to use that as an excuse. So how old is Mary Bell now??

[emmie]

63 according to wiki

[barry1010]

Their trial lasted three weeks and was held in an adult court.

[burlyshirley]

lb - I think Denise Fergus welcome any programmes on her little boy, she doesn't want people to forget what happened to him and to keep his killers names in peoples minds. I think she would have fully approved of this programme, as she often speaks about James in the media. She is a woman I greatly admire.

[LadyCG]

I honestly don't know how his parents find the strength to go on. It would have killed me.

This case remains one of the most appalling crimes I have ever heard of and I am no less sickened now than I was when it took place. As a mother to a similarly-aged little boy, I can honestly say it strikes fear through my heart and I couldn't imagine anything worse than knowing that your child's last moments in life were filled with utter terror.

Those evil little monsters should never have been released.

[Smowball]

Yes his mum Denise chose to do the programme, tho like as has been said, how any parent could carry on is beyond me. Incredibly woman x

[Georgiesmum]

Did the programme say how James was killed?

[Smowball]

Barry/anyone - did they ever give a reason for it??

[burlyshirley]

She went on to have three other sons who she was very over protective of and it says a lot for her that they all love her to bits and never felt constrained by her. She now has a little girl in her life, her first Granddaughter which I think is lovely for her.

[Smowball]

Yes Georgie it did. Just horrific.