James Bulger’s grave targeted by ‘evil’ vandals for second time in weeks

The grave of murdered toddler James Bulger has been vandalised for the second time in six weeks.

Denise Fergus described those responsible for the damage as ‘evil’, adding that she is ‘devastated’ that her son’s resting place has been targeted again.

James was only two years old when he was lured away from Denise by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson – themselves aged just 10 – and murdered in February 1993.

Denise said her heart had broken a second time when she discovered James’s grave had been vandalised in February.

She praised the ‘Army of Heroes’ who raised more than £20,000 to repair the damage, which included replacing the heads of two cherubs that had been smashed.

The 30-year-old ornaments were then replaced, only to have their heads ‘scythed off’.

Denise told The Mirror: ‘I am absolutely disgusted that James’ grave has been demolished and devastated again.

‘It has broken our hearts. My heart sank when I found out about it.’

She continued: ‘How evil do you need to be to vandalise and destroy a child’s grave.

‘I am devastated. We must find this person.’

Katie McCreath, Director of KMC Legal & Finance who is part of Denise’s legal team, told the paper the latest vandalism ‘is both distressing and unacceptable’.

She said: ‘Denise is understandably devastated. For any parent, a gravesite is a place of reflection, peace, and remembrance.

‘To have that space violated not once, but repeatedly, is something no family should have to endure.’

Denise said she had informed the police and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Merseyside Police condemned the previous attack as ‘abhorrent and truly shocking’.

Earlier this month, James’s family said they were ‘touched’ by the fundraiser set up following the February incident, adding that it showed how ‘many people still hold James in their hearts’.

Stuart Fergus, who is married to Denise and is charity manager of the James Bulger Memorial Trust said: ‘We are just blown away with the lovely messages and the donations.

‘We are just gobsmacked by how much was raised. It really just shows how much the people in Liverpool and the area love and respect Denise and James.’

In another blow to the family, it emerged in January that Venables is due to make yet another bid for freedom.

The Parole Board rejected a previous application in 2023, ruling he still posed a danger to children and could go on to offend again.

Venables 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 once again freed in August 2013 and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence, with parole judges considering his case again in September 2020.

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