The Disturbing Explanation from Jon Venables' Parents
The horrific murder of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 remains one of the most chilling crimes in British history. What shocked the nation even more was that his killers, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, were just 10 years old at the time. After their arrest and throughout the trial, the two boys were known only as Child A and Child B.
On November 24, 1993, they were convicted of murder following a three-week trial at Preston Crown Court. Both were released on life licence in June 2001, but were handed new identities protected by a court injunction ordering lifetime anonymity.
A Life of Crime Continues for Venables
While Robert Thompson has not been known to reoffend since his release, Jon Venables has been unable to leave a life of crime behind. He has been recalled to prison twice, once in 2010 and again in 2017, both times due to the possession of child sex abuse images, according to reports.
Venables remains in prison, and it was revealed in January that he is due a parole hearing, two years after his last appeal failed. The new identities given to both Thompson and Venables have never been publicly disclosed.
The Parents' Warped Theory
In November 1993, Venables' parents, Susan and Neil, spoke about their son, his horrific crime, and their warped explanation for his actions. Susan Venables said at the time, "You look at him and you say to yourself 'how could you be involved in anything like this?' On the other hand, you are looking at him and you are saying 'well, I know why - because he is so weak.'"
She claimed her son had been led astray by Thompson, describing Jon as "loving, caring, thoughtful and considerate... fun to be with." Susan went on to say, "It is hard to take in really. We feel so sorry for him because he must be going through so much torment. You know, we just try and help him as best we can to try to come to terms with things."
Fear and Provocation Claims
Susan continued, "Our feelings haven't changed towards him. We still think the same of him as we always have. I would say he was provoked. He is one of those children that if you told him to put his hand in the fire, he would. He is easily led. He didn't want to hurt James. He was fearful of the other boy. He was fearful, he was weak and he was provoked."
She added that Jon said he was frightened of Robert's older brother, with Robert threatening, "if you tell anybody I'll get my big brother to batter you up." Neil Venables added, "If you had a league table of children, you would put him at the bottom of the list for anything like this."
Grief for the Bulger Family
Jon's parents, who sat in court for most of the trial, said they grieved for the Bulgers. Susan, then 36, said, "My heart really goes out to them. I wish we could turn the clocks back. I think about little James and what he must have gone through, how they must feel. I know how I feel as a mother. It is just heartbreaking."
Neil, 40 at the time, said he felt "just devastated, thinking of that little boy." Wiping away tears, he added, "I feel for that family. I feel so sorry for them. I have lost my son as well. We will never be able to do the fun things any more... football, snooker, things like that. Just TV programmes and little things remind me of the good times we had together...I just think of James and his Dad and about all that fun with his little boy, like I had with Jon."
Defending Their Son and Home Life
The parents said their son met Thompson in September 1991, when Jon was transferred from another school. Both boys had been held back a year and were put in the same class. Susan said, "I think it was because the class group was too big for them to go in... so they were put in a lower year. I think my son's concentration wasn't the way it should have been, but he wasn't slow. He's quite bright and clever. He's a good reader if he's interested in it. He tends to be a bit hyperactive so his concentration did go a bit, but apart from that he is quite bright, no worries."
She further defended his home life, saying, "I don't think we went wrong as parents at all. He has had more love and attention than a lot of children I know. He has been educated. He has never really been what you would call a sagger off school (a truant). He has had his holidays like everyone else. He has had Christmas presents. Contrary to what the papers will tell you, he is not a little urchin boy. He is far from it. He has had security with loving parents and a loving brother and sister."
The parents said they had spoken to Jon about James after he was arrested. Susan said, "He mentions James, not all the time. But now and again. He gets upset. He says 'I know, Mum'. He is broken-hearted over it. What he's done is wrong so he needs to be punished. What upsets me is I've no way of bringing him up for the rest of his young years so he's going to lose all his childhood."
