The mother of James Bulger has issued a heartfelt appeal for information following the vandalism of her son’s grave. This distressing incident occurred at the cemetery where James is interred, prompting his mother, Denise Fergus, to seek assistance from the public. James, who was just two years old when he was murdered in February 1993 by then-10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, has been a focal point for discussions surrounding justice and remembrance.
In a poignant message shared on social media, Fergus described the moment she learned of the damage to her son’s resting place. “Today I felt my heart break once again,” she wrote. A passerby reported that the headstone and surrounding cherubs had been vandalised, which led Fergus to rush to the site. Upon arrival, she found the cherubs beside the headstone had been smashed, and she expressed her need to find those responsible for the act.
Fergus continued, “I try to help as many families as I can with either justice campaigns or helping families through the charity I set up in his memory, and some horrid b****** has done this… to a baby’s grave! Really?” She urged anyone with information to contact Merseyside Police or her charity page, emphasizing the timeframe in which the vandalism likely occurred: between 10am and 3.30pm on the day of the incident.
Photographs of the grave show the heads of two stone angels in front of the headstone, now headless and abandoned on the ground. This act of vandalism adds to the heartache Fergus has endured over the years, particularly in light of ongoing issues surrounding Venables, who was released on licence in July 2001 and has faced legal troubles since.
Earlier this year, Fergus condemned the decision to grant Venables another parole hearing. He was recalled to prison in February 2010 after inappropriate images were discovered on his computer, and again in November 2017 for similar offences. In a significant development, Fergus has been allowed to attend one of Venables’ hearings for the first time. She will participate via video link, where she will hear his voice for the first time in three decades.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Fergus expressed her anger and distress over the possibility of Venables being granted release. “Surely this person has proved he cannot be given yet another chance yet he’s been given one,” she stated. She voiced concerns about his ability to reintegrate into society, noting that he is no longer a child but a man who may struggle with the consequences of his past actions.
Fergus’s ongoing fight for justice and her dedication to remembering her son continue to resonate with many. She encourages anyone with information regarding the vandalism of James’ grave to reach out to Merseyside Police at 101 or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. The emotional toll of these recent events underscores the pain that still lingers from James Bulger’s tragic story, both for his family and the wider community.
