James Bulger’s Killer Robert Thompson’s Lads’ Holiday: You Outraged Now?
JON Venables is in jail. So. It’s time to focus on Robert Thompson, the other of James Bulger’s killers. The Sun brings news of the child killer who killed as a child in its front-page headline:
“BULGER KILLER NO 2 GOES ABROAD ON LADS’ HOLIDAY.”
Thompson’s trip overseas follows news that Jon Venables went on a holiday to Norway following his release.
The Sun tells us:
Thompson used his phoney new ID on his passport for a secret “lads’ trip” to Europe.
It wasn’t secret from the Ministry of Justice, which knew all about the trip and had assessed the dangers. They gave him his “phoney” passport. It was secret from us. It would have to have been secret because it’s been well documented that people would like to harm Robert Thompson. Were the authorities to tells us of his movements, he’d be in danger.
The Sun continues:
Like Venables, Thompson used the passport he was given bearing his secret new name as authorities bent over backwards to give the pair a new life.
Thompson carried out no crime while overseas. He has committed no crimes since the murder of James Bulger. He appears to have been rehabilitated. The authorities seem to have got it right. Still, the Sun needs someone to be outraged. Anyone like to guess who the paper calls? Yep, it’s James Bulger’s mother:
James Bulger’s mum was livid last night after The Sun uncovered details of the jaunt.
Her anger is understandable. But is the victim’s mother best placed to recast the law in her design?
Denise Fergus, 43, declared: “It’s disgusting. I was told I would be informed if the terms of their life licence were varied – and I should have been. I could at least have had the peace of mind of being able to ensure that I was not abroad at the same time as them.”
But she is in the same country as them now. Her argument carries no weight.
She added: “Criminals get all the attention and support and the victims are largely ignored.”
Well, that comment goes deep into the debate on punishment. What the purpose of jail is remains a work in progress.
The Sun’s Gary O’Shea and John Kay then remind readers that they too should be outraged:
Her son was snatched from a Merseyside shopping centre in 1993 and tortured to death for kicks. The killers served just eight years before being let out.
Are you outraged now?
Thompson’s was some time between 2006 and 2010 but the Ministry of Justice refused to disclose exactly when – or where.
Well, yes. Because if they do, we or the lads on the holiday might be able to work out Thompson’s new identity, and then the State will have to spend a small fortune giving him a new one – you know, bend over backwards to protect him.
The Sun was told he paid for his jolly out of his own pocket.
Still outraged?
February 16th, 2013 at 10:44 am
they were ten yrs old when they did this horrific crime.they were kids themselves..but the comments i read from so called normal people are disgusting…
February 14th, 2013 at 10:58 am
Its coming to a head and venables and thompson will both be found out soon, no worry about having to put a hit out, 100000s of people would do it for free.
far bigger and tougher people been buried then these pussys.
May 21st, 2012 at 4:55 am
Robert Thompson needs to be outed and taken care of, no matter the cost
January 29th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
January 29th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Yampster, you asked the question I was hesitant to ask when I read the comment last evening, as I dreaded the answer!
January 29th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Yamspter
She probably thinks using opaque stones means people won’t see through?
January 29th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Is that you again Jade?
January 28th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I love him.
January 28th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Another unsinkable thread…..
There is nothing that has been said about either offender on this thread that can’t be found from a quick google. Thompson’s sexuality and his interest in dressmaking are well known (in fact, they are two of the reasons Denise Fergus originally used to try to keep in him inside!)
And what you have written Amber and your response in general, explains very well why they are protected under assumed identities.
January 28th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Amber, you said “Another thing, what kind of “justice” system keeps murderers like these two protect ALL OF THEIR LIVES.”
Rather sad commentary, isn’t it, on the mentality of some of the people who live in the UK that the country has to have laws to protect those two and others who commit such heinous crimes who serve their time and then have to have their identities changed to protect them from the citizens who would take their lives. Rather similar mentalities, wouldn’t you say?
January 27th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Another thing, what kind of “justice” system keeps murderers like these two protect ALL OF THEIR LIVES. These aren’t people in witness protection, they’re big boys now, and heck even have their defenders like the smitten/in love Stuart and Emma.
And look at the one who was arrested on child porn and we find out that’s not even his first arrest after the release at 18. Where is the government to protected every citizen from harm but instead protect violent offender’s identity forever? Child porn sounds like this slug likes to see bad things happen to young children and that’s a sickness that can’t be cured.
January 27th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Sounds like good ol’ Stuart is hot for Robert Thompson doesn’t it? Stuey even concocting fantasies about how artistically inclined and sophisticated Robert Thompson is..so modern with his gay lover and all.
Too bad he’s really nothing more than a worthless sociopath.
December 26th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Lordy – some threads are unkillable aren’t they?
As for criticising Denise Fergus – I believe last time I checked, disagreeing with someone wasn’t a crime. I don’t agree with much of what she says (in fact almost all of it – I think she is motivated by hate and vengeance – with good reason but these are not good indications of solid judgement). I accept her right to say it but if she chooses to run to the lowest of the bottom feeding press in this country to air views that many take issue with (and get paid remember), then she should expect some criticism of her views.
This idea that victims are some voice of absolute truth and their word must be taken with no question is stupid.
December 26th, 2011 at 1:00 am
I have good sources and been told robert thompson is living in the north west of scotland not declaring exact location so he doesnt get moved… Thompson and venebales on both separate occasions stayed in safe houses in Inverness but thompson is still living In the north west highlands of scotland..but if I am wrong and some 1 has his real idenity I belive it should be exposed sooner than later as i am a father myself and this monster Thompson will re offend eventully the same way as Venables Aka Paul jon williams did and how do we really no he hasnt been arrested since venables was arrested a couple of times before he got put to prison again and none of this was revealed to us at time he should have been put back inside after the first incident.
December 18th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
some of the comments on here are, people moaning about how Denise Fergus feels, I mean honestly get some back bone, what if it was your own child that got slaughtered, would you be happy to let these guys get on with their life, personally anyone who would accept that imo are sick, Denise Fergus has every right to feel hard done by so long as these guys breathe.
what right to any of you have to comment on her actions and feelings until you go through the same thing? you don’t
I hope she does put a hit out on them and I hope they suffer horribly for what they done
April 28th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Gemma
Could not agree more with you – very well said. In this madhouse we live in today, all sympathy seems to go to the criminals while the victims are forgotten.
April 27th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
I can not believe how heartless hese comments are towards denise. Her baby son was murdered in terrible circumstances and she is here having to live with these thoughts everyday. Thinking of the pain her precious baby endured. Thinking of the what if’s. She is entitled to think out her thoughts. She is entitled to act rationally for the rest of her life. She is entitled to ask questions and carry anger because it was not fair or acceptable what happened to James bulger. It is horrific. She deserves compassion and admiration for carrying on and getting up everyday for her other children. Show some respect, what if it were your child. What if you had two years of memories overshadowed with horror. I’m not saying I agree with everything the sun and denise has said but I certainly show respect and understanding towards her situation and feel desperately for her. I’m surprised that others wouldn’t and I’m shocked at what’s been said on this website.
April 7th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
I’m a Chelsea fan.
Do you fancy taking Torres back Emma? You can keep the 50 mil….
April 7th, 2011 at 9:33 am
Ha ha! Probably Vimes! Perhaps she is a Bluenose! We’re all Liverpool fans in our house.
April 7th, 2011 at 9:28 am
“I can’t believe she – as someone from Liverpool – would lower herself to give The Sun the time of day after Hillsborough.”
Perhaps she’s another Everton fan – they seem quite happy to take the Sun’s moolah these days.
April 7th, 2011 at 8:27 am
Yes, Thompson was what they used to call in the old days as the ‘artistic type’! ;0)
Even Venables during his police interviews at one point made a slight against him saying he was ‘like a girl’ and made fun of the fact that he collected dolls.
But I see the full interview with Denise Fergus is in The Sun today. This really doesn’t paint her in a good light at all. She also appears to want Thompson to pay for Venables’ recent crimes – by virtue of association. She used to have a relationship with the Daily Mail – is the Sun paying better or is News International the only organisation that will speak to her these days (suspicious given the recent report in the Sunday Times re Venables)? I can’t believe she – as someone from Liverpool – would lower herself to give The Sun the time of day after Hillsborough.
And she’s also slightly mistaken with Venables and the parole thing. In fact, the parole board system is automatic. The Parole Board have to make some kind of a decision at this point – Venables doesn’t actually have to ‘apply’. For all she knows, he could sit there during the hearing and say he doesn’t feel ready to be released.
April 6th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
And The Scum seems to be taking issue with the fact that it was a ‘lad’s holiday’. As if that somehow makes it worse.
However, from what we know of Thompson, it could have been a romantic long weekend to Paris with his partner. Since Thompson is gay, that would make it a ‘lad’s holiday’ of sorts would it not? Thompson was the one into dress design and art IIRC (apparently on release was a long way from his Walton roots, was quite sophisticated and attended art school). I can’t see him jetting off on a lager and kebab jaunt to the Costa Del Sol.
The average Sun reader, however….
April 6th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
So once again, we get a story with minimal public interest and Denise Fergus feels she needs to comment on something that (in all honesty) doesn’t concern her. Exactly how much knowledge of her son’s killers does she want? Their eating habits? Their bathing routine? Their inside leg measurements?
My sympathy is also decreasing by the day. Thompson got permission and proved that the trust was well placed as his trip apparently past without event, he didn’t abscond and that should be the end of it.
But no, we need OUTRAGE. When commenting on Venables’ trip abroad, she claimed that the authorities allowed him to travel despite knowing he was taking drugs, binge drinking and had been arrested for fighting. All those things happened after the trip so unless she thinks the police/probation are psychic; then she’s talking nonsense.
She also said a year ago that she *knew* Venables was married with kids. (False). That she *knew* Thompson had also been in trouble (false). She told an Australian TV channel that she thought Thompson lived in Australia yet a few years ago claimed she’d tracked him down, driven to where he hung out and sat in the car watching him.
It is such a shame. James Bulger was an absolute innocent – his life cruelly cut so short by an act of horrific proportions. Yet now, when I hear his name, I think of the hatred and vengeance of his mother – emotions which he, at his tender age wouldn’t have been sullied by.
Ironically, all this merely confirms that the Ministry of Justice is right to give her the minimim information possible. Indeed, when Venables was sentences, I was pretty hawkish, believing he should serve not only the whole two years but a bit extra and only be released after significant offending behaviour work and perhaps on serious supervision (and by that I mean a tag) but her outbursts almost make me hope he is released early and given a suite of rooms at the ritz – just to annoy her.
April 6th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Thanks Emma – perish the thought.
April 6th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Vimes – she has a media advisor – it is Chris Johnson – the owner of Mercury Press.
Mercury press own the rights to the four photos we have of Thompson and Venables. Every time the subject hits the news, his company charges royalty fees for any reproduction of the photos.
As Denise Fergus’ press advisor, presumably he gets a percentage of whatever she makes in her interviews with tabloids.
I couldn’t possibly say if this has anything to do with his desire to keep the story in the news….
April 6th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Perhaps she needs a “media advisor” – anyone know a good one?
April 6th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Too sunny for arguments Clive
April 6th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Emma, no doubt she does need treatment and many years over due for it. Those poor children of hers growing up breathing the hate filled air in their home. She must be like a poison to be around with that hate inside of her.
Interesting, most every parent who has a tragedy happen to their child go through a stage of guilt wondering if they could have done anything different to protect that child from whatever tragedy. Even mothers who babies die with sudden death infant syndrome feel guilt for awhile trying to understand why their baby died or if it was their fault and they should have been watching that baby 24/7.
How did those two boys get him? I don’t how – was he standing alone at the time? Had he wandered away from her at a store? A mother protects her child and I am wondering if this extreme hatred is coming from an inner guilt of her own that she has never let go of that she didn’t protect her child from harm.
April 6th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Hi Emma
Don’t apologise, you know what they say-the lowest form of wit, etc.
Anyway, not so much sarcastic as trying to stir the opinions up a bit and get some feeling in the posts. Well………it is a slow afternoon.
April 6th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
(Just realised, your post may have been sarcastic, in which case I apologise).
April 6th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Clive, your post is redundant. We never executed ten year olds. Even when we sentenced them to death back centuries ago, the sentences were always commuted to transportation or the like (even during the eighteenth century Bloody Code).
So Thompson and Venables would NOT have been sentenced to death before the abolition of capital punishment.
In fact, chances are they wouldn’t have served any longer. The murderer of a police officer by Christopher Craig in the 50s led to Derek Bentley’s hanging even though Bentley did not carry out the murder (he was later given a posthumous pardon).
Craig was 16 and couldn’t be sentenced to death because of his age. He served 12 years.
Indeed, it was this very case and the clear injustice that led to the abolition of capital punishment in this country.