Bulger killer police file given to prosecutors
Prosecutors have been handed a police file over allegations against toddler James Bulger’s killer Jon Venables, it was announced today.
Venables, who killed Bulger in 1993 with Robert Thompson, was recalled to custody last month for breaching the terms of his licence.
Reports have alleged he was found with child sex abuse images on his computer, but ministers have confirmed only that he faces “serious allegations”.
The Crown Prosecution Service will now decide whether to press charges, the organisation said.
A CPS spokeswoman said: “A file in relation to the suspect known as Jon Venables has today been passed to the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service.
“A decision as to whether or not charges will follow will be taken as soon as practicable.”
Venables and Thompson were 10 when they killed two-year-old James in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993.
They were both released on life-long licence in 2001 with new identities, requiring them to obey strict conditions such as not contacting each other or returning to the city where James was killed.
The CPS could not disclose which police force handed them the file for fear of giving away where Venables had been living.
Details of the police investigation have also been withheld to ensure there is no risk to a potential trial.
Baroness Butler-Sloss, the now retired president of the High Court’s Family Division, granted Venables and Thompson their new identities after their release from prison.
An injunction prevents publication of any information which may lead to their identification, as well as information which may identify their past, present or future whereabouts.
