James Bulger 25years on.

[Kazanne]

Thought some of you might be interested in watching this,it's been 25 years on February 12th since this awful crime,I will be watching ,it s very dear to my heart and would like thoughts on the program.Denise has also a book out now about her little boy, called 'I let him go' I have already read James's dads book 'My James' very hard reading ,I hope one day Denise will get the justice she has fought for ,for all these years.


Thursday 8th February ITV at 9pm. James Bulger: A Mother’s Story. To mark the 25th Anniversary Of James death and for the first time ever our very own Denise Fergus is inviting Sir Trevor McDonald into her home, where she will share her memories of a day that changed the world.

In an exclusive interview Denise opens up about the day that changed her life forever and about the eternity of a mother’s love.

Sir Trevor will take you on a heart breaking journey into a family home where James will never be forgotten.

As well as following Denise, Trevor speaks to key figures across Liverpool to gain a tragic insight into a case that shocked the entire world. forjames.org


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/kazanne/graphics/grave_zpsqd3rwdwi.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kazanne/media/graphics/grave_zpsqd3rwdwi.jpg.html)

[joeysteele]

Actually I don't know if you noticed,there is also a programme on channel 4, The Bulger killers,was justice done, at 9pm.
On Monday 5th February.

[AnnieK]

25 years? Jesus, has it really been that long? I read James' dad's book too Kaz and I agree it was hard going (especially as my son was around James' age when I read it). It was a horrendous crime and I remember it happening and being horrified when they turned out to be the age they were.

My ex used to have a shop in Kirby and Denise used to shop there a lot, always looked haunted and sad. Poor women is the one with the life sentance

[joeysteele]

25 years? Jesus, has it really been that long? I read James' dad's book too Kaz and I agree it was hard going (especially as my son was around James' age when I read it). It was a horrendous crime and I remember it happening and being horrified when they turned out to be the age they were.

My ex used to have a shop in Kirby and Denise used to shop there a lot, always looked haunted and sad. Poor women is the one with the life sentance

I'm always deeply saddened and affected by this case.
An absolute disgrace and devastating loss of a young life.

Everytime I see his Mother on TV,she was on the other week, as you say she looks haunted.
I feel so desperately sorry for her each time I see her.

To me,this is if not the one,it's one of the worst crimes ever.
For me too,justice was not done.

Still yet one of them gets into trouble,despite new identities and advice and assistance.
Evil really was this crime.
Grossly so.

[Kazanne]

25 years? Jesus, has it really been that long? I read James' dad's book too Kaz and I agree it was hard going (especially as my son was around James' age when I read it). It was a horrendous crime and I remember it happening and being horrified when they turned out to be the age they were.

My ex used to have a shop in Kirby and Denise used to shop there a lot, always looked haunted and sad. Poor women is the one with the life sentance

That's right Annie,Ralph also still suffers a lot,she never looks really happy does she,and she probably never will,she has a lovely family now and I wonder if her eldest boy is what James would have looked like,it's still as sad now as it was then.

[Kazanne]

Actually I don't know if you noticed,there is also a programme on channel 4, The Bulger killers,was justice done, at 9pm.
On Monday 5th February.

This is the only one I know of
http://worldscreen.com/tvreal/channel-4-doc-reexamine-james-bulger-murder-trial/

[Livia]

Can't imagine what that child's parents have been through, let alone what Jamie went through himself. It's hard to think about, even after all this time for me, someone completely uninvolved and outside the story.

[joeysteele]

This is the only one I know of
http://worldscreen.com/tvreal/channel-4-doc-reexamine-james-bulger-murder-trial/

The link hasn't worked for me Kazanne.

This is on Monday 5th Feb,at 9pm.Channel 4

It's said it's NEW and called The Bulger Killers was justice done.

It's a debate I believe.

[Kazanne]

This is what the link says for anyone interested.

Channel 4 has commissioned October Films to produce a documentary marking the 25th anniversary of the murder of 2-year-old James Bulger, bringing together those involved in the trial to examine whether justice was served.
Bulger was abducted and murdered in 1993 by two 10-year-old boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables. The Bulger Murder: 25 Years On (working title) features interviews with individuals personally involved in the case. Interviewees include Ralph Bulger (TBC), Laurence Lee (Jon Venables’ solicitor), Dominic Lloyd (Robert Thompson’s solicitor), Det. Sgt. Phil Roberts (who conducted the interviews with Thompson), Detective Inspector Jim Fitzsimmons, Richard Henriques, QC (barrister for the prosecution), Home Secretary at the time Lord Michael Howard, former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie, journalist Shelagh Fogarty and author Blake Morrison. The Bulger Murder: 25 Years On also features excerpts from the police interview tapes with Venables and Thompson. The documentary is directed by Matt Smith (Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad).
Michelle Chappell, Channel 4’s commissioning editor of documentaries, said, “James Bulger’s murder shocked the nation and still lingers in the hearts and minds of the British public. Recent events have put the question of whether justice was served back at the forefront of national debate. By bringing together some of the key contributors to the trial and sentencing as well as those reacting to and in some cases helping shape the public sentiment, this will be a timely and thought-provoking look at how we should deal with horrific crime and the punishment of perpetrators not yet into their teens.”
Matt Robins, the creative director at October Films and executive producer on the project, added, “The murder of James Bulger fundamentally changed the way we Britons live and continues to provoke raw emotion. We saw this film as an opportunity to ask how 25 years of hindsight have affected the perspectives of those closest to the case. Rather than retreading the details of that dark day in Liverpool, we wanted to consider what the British reaction says about us as a nation and whether we’ve changed over the intervening years.”

[Niamh.]

That case was so heart breaking and horrific, those poor parents, I don't know if you could ever get over something like that. I don't know if I could bear watching it, it's so sad and so upsetting.

[joeysteele]

This is what the link says for anyone interested.

Channel 4 has commissioned October Films to produce a documentary marking the 25th anniversary of the murder of 2-year-old James Bulger, bringing together those involved in the trial to examine whether justice was served.
Bulger was abducted and murdered in 1993 by two 10-year-old boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables. The Bulger Murder: 25 Years On (working title) features interviews with individuals personally involved in the case. Interviewees include Ralph Bulger (TBC), Laurence Lee (Jon Venables’ solicitor), Dominic Lloyd (Robert Thompson’s solicitor), Det. Sgt. Phil Roberts (who conducted the interviews with Thompson), Detective Inspector Jim Fitzsimmons, Richard Henriques, QC (barrister for the prosecution), Home Secretary at the time Lord Michael Howard, former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie, journalist Shelagh Fogarty and author Blake Morrison. The Bulger Murder: 25 Years On also features excerpts from the police interview tapes with Venables and Thompson. The documentary is directed by Matt Smith (Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad).
Michelle Chappell, Channel 4’s commissioning editor of documentaries, said, “James Bulger’s murder shocked the nation and still lingers in the hearts and minds of the British public. Recent events have put the question of whether justice was served back at the forefront of national debate. By bringing together some of the key contributors to the trial and sentencing as well as those reacting to and in some cases helping shape the public sentiment, this will be a timely and thought-provoking look at how we should deal with horrific crime and the punishment of perpetrators not yet into their teens.”
Matt Robins, the creative director at October Films and executive producer on the project, added, “The murder of James Bulger fundamentally changed the way we Britons live and continues to provoke raw emotion. We saw this film as an opportunity to ask how 25 years of hindsight have affected the perspectives of those closest to the case. Rather than retreading the details of that dark day in Liverpool, we wanted to consider what the British reaction says about us as a nation and whether we’ve changed over the intervening years.”

Thanks.

Yes that sounds what it is.

[Niamh.]

Can't imagine what that child's parents have been through, let alone what Jamie went through himself. It's hard to think about, even after all this time for me, someone completely uninvolved and outside the story.

Yeah same, I was around 14 when it happened and for some reason it's the one case that's always stuck out in my mind, It really traumitsed me at the time :(

[Kazanne]

Has anyone here ever been to his grave ? I go every year if I can on the anniversary,he has his own tree with trinkets etc on and his headstone is beautiful,If ever you are in Liverpool go see it.

[Northern Monkey]

I'm always deeply saddened and affected by this case.
An absolute disgrace and devastating loss of a young life.

Everytime I see his Mother on TV,she was on the other week, as you say she looks haunted.
I feel so desperately sorry for her each time I see her.

To me,this is if not the one,it's one of the worst crimes ever.
For me too,justice was not done.

Still yet one of them gets into trouble,despite new identities and advice and assistance.
Evil really was this crime.
Grossly so.Totally agree.
I still remember when it happened and how it made everyone’s parents at the time hyper aware of what could possibly happen.
It impacted everybody at the time greatly.
Of all the cases that have happened since.This is the one I remember most and it still physically sends shudders up my spine when i think about it.

[DemolitionRed]

As a mother, I can't and don't ever want to imagine the sort of grief Denise and her husband Ralph have had to endure. What that little boy went through is beyond words and breaks my heart every time I think about him.

[joeysteele]

Has anyone here ever been to his grave ? I go every year if I can on the anniversary,he has his own tree with trinkets etc on and his headstone is beautiful,If ever you are in Liverpool go see it.

I haven't but would love to just to pay respects to this brave little lad.
Bless him,really bless him.

[Niamh.]

Has anyone here ever been to his grave ? I go every year if I can on the anniversary,he has his own tree with trinkets etc on and his headstone is beautiful,If ever you are in Liverpool go see it.

I'm actually going to Liverpool in May, probably won't have time though and I think Gav might think it was a weird request :laugh:

[Livia]

Yeah same, I was around 14 when it happened and for some reason it's the one case that's always stuck out in my mind, It really traumitsed me at the time :(

Yes, I was 12 or 13... it sticks you, something like that.

[Kazanne]

I'm actually going to Liverpool in May, probably won't have time though and I think Gav might think it was a weird request :laugh:

oh,well if you get a chance Niamh , go,it's peaceful and lots of people do visit .

[joeysteele]

Totally agree.
I still remember when it happened and how it made everyone’s parents at the time hyper aware of what could possibly happen.
It impacted everybody at the time greatly.
Of all the cases that have happened since.This is the one I remember most and it still physically sends shudders up my spine when i think about it.



Absolutely.
What crushes me as well is the torment his mother has to go through everytime one of the murderers gets special treatment and into bother again.

The pain she must be made to feel.
Despicable.

[Niamh.]

oh,well if you get a chance Niamh , go,it's peaceful and lots of people do visit .

Is it far out of the city?

[Vicky.]

I don't think I can watch this. I don't seem to have emotions at all when it comes to fictional stuff but this kind of stuff really gets to me. Even thinking about this makes me so scared incase it could happen to mine.

And the ****er Venables keeps being released, to offend again. New identity each time. I would love to take a carving knife to his balls tbh. Give him some actual punishment.

[Niamh.]

Absolutely.
What crushes me as well is the torment his mother has to go through everytime one of the murderers gets special treatment and into bother again.

The pain she must be made to feel.
Despicable.

Yeah 100%, it must be like rubbing salt in the wound everytime, not even proper justice for her baby (even that isn't any consolation for losing him I know but it just makes it worse and even harder probably to get through the day)

[Cherie]

Such a tragic case all based on a chance meeting with those little ****ers

[Kazanne]

Is it far out of the city?

If you get to Fazakerley ,the cemetary is Kirkdale cemetary,Longmoor lane

[bots]

i get too frustrated and upset when thinking about this particular case and the preferential treatment the killers have received over the years. I just couldn't imagine how it must be for the family and those close to them

[Kazanne]

i get too frustrated and upset when thinking about this particular case and the preferential treatment the killers have received over the years. I just couldn't imagine how it must be for the family and those close to them

I think they should have done 8 years in the young offenders then gone to a big boys jail,Howard had their sentence at 15 years then it was overruled to the 8 which for the crime they committed is disgusting, parole boards deemed them safe to be re released with a new ID etc,and Venables is still offending,just put him in jail now for the rest of his miserable pervy life and stop dithering about wasting money on new Ids ,it doesn't work for him.:fist:

[Kizzy]

I think the case flummoxed the whole country not just the judges in the cases. I well remember the collective stunned silence following the news as it broke... unprecedented evil that as hideous as humans can be to one another nobody expected of British children.

Could they be rehabilitated...should they be? It was a learning curve that was it seemed trial and error. Turns out it was a massive error and they were as evil coming out as they were going in.

If anything lessons will have (hopefully) been learnt so no mother has to go through what Denise has, she has endured so much and is still strong enough to maintain her fight for justice and accountability. I can't imagine how she does it, amazing woman.

[joeysteele]

Yeah 100%, it must be like rubbing salt in the wound everytime, not even proper justice for her baby (even that isn't any consolation for losing him I know but it just makes it worse and even harder probably to get through the day)

I agree.

I'll watch these programmes next week for certain.
However it will be emotionally crushing again.

I think because of the horror of the unnecessary barbarism of the 2 murderers.
It has resulted in young James becoming part of so many of the populations lives and thoughts.

Something I hope is of even the tiniest comfort to his Mam and Dad.
That their fight,is supported fully by others.

[jaxie]

Can't imagine what that child's parents have been through, let alone what Jamie went through himself. It's hard to think about, even after all this time for me, someone completely uninvolved and outside the story.

This for me. It's an agonising situation for all involved. Even the parents of the killers. How do any of them live with all that?

[Kazanne]

This for me. It's an agonising situation for all involved. Even the parents of the killers. How do any of them live with all that?

I could answer this about the parents Jaxie, I won't go into detail but their boys were giggling in court, did those parents intervene? No.i will leave that there:wavey:

[jaxie]

I could answer this about the parents Jaxie, I won't go into detail but their boys were giggling in court, did those parents intervene? No.i will leave that there:wavey:

That's awful Kazanne, just awful.

[AnnieK]

I think the case flummoxed the whole country not just the judges in the cases. I well remember the collective stunned silence following the news as it broke... unprecedented evil that as hideous as humans can be to one another nobody expected of British children.

Could they be rehabilitated...should they be? It was a learning curve that was it seemed trial and error. Turns out it was a massive error and they were as evil coming out as they were going in.

If anything lessons will have (hopefully) been learnt so no mother has to go through what Denise has, she has endured so much and is still strong enough to maintain her fight for justice and accountability. I can't imagine how she does it, amazing woman.

Completely agree with all this.

It goes to show just how amazing strength can be found, even when you can't believe you would ever find it. I think Denise and Ralph have both found strength in the unfairness of it to all to try and ensure no other parents feel the abject horror and grief they have endured. Sadly, as I said earlier, no matter what the outcome of the trials back then, however just the sentances should have been, it is they who have had a life term

[Ammi]

...on more heart-warming point, Kaz...when I watched an interview with Denice a few weeks ago, she spoke a lot about her children and the close family they are..the horrific death and loss of Jamie and then the release of those who took him from them could have prevented much happiness being part of their lives at all but they seem to have much joy in themselves, joy with each other...:lovedup:..

[joeysteele]

I hope Kazanne doesn't mind.
Just thought I'd bring this up again as this programme is on at 9pm tonight on ITV, as the op said.

Just in case anyone who intended to watch had forgot it was on tonight.

[rusticgal]

25 years? Jesus, has it really been that long? I read James' dad's book too Kaz and I agree it was hard going (especially as my son was around James' age when I read it). It was a horrendous crime and I remember it happening and being horrified when they turned out to be the age they were.

My ex used to have a shop in Kirby and Denise used to shop there a lot, always looked haunted and sad. Poor women is the one with the life sentance


My son too was the same age when it happened. How do you ever recover from that...knowing how your little boy suffered...I can only imagine you never ever do.

[Kazanne]

We will be watching remembering James as the little boy he was,we can never bring him back,but he will never be forgotten.

[joeysteele]

We will be watching remembering James as the little boy he was,we can never bring him back,but he will never be forgotten.

Absolutely he won't be.
All I've witnessed from you on here is commendable totally as to James and this horrific loss of his life, and your stance as to the injustice of not seeing proper penalties for the crime either.

[Crimson Dynamo]

The TL and I are watching this later

[Cal.]

This is just awful :(

[joeysteele]

Heartbreaking,awful.

Denise said the strongest statement,'they weren't punished they were rewarded'.

That is one of the hardest programmes I've ever watched.
Crushing.

[Vanessa]

I can't watch this. Way too upsetting :sad:

[Glenn.]

Yeah same, I was around 14 when it happened and for some reason it's the one case that's always stuck out in my mind, It really traumitsed me at the time :(

I was 5 and can remember it.

[AnnieK]

Heartbreaking....:sad:

[Kazanne]

Heartbreaking to see the videos of James playing and dancing,I hope Denise and Ralph get justice one day,(but it looks unlikely)and I hope Venables gets a nice cell mate that will make him feel the fear and pain James felt,but I suppose he will be 'protected' again.

[Cherie]

8 years for torturing and murdering a child ..how the family have retained their sanity is anyone's guess

how many times does Venables need to be caught with child porn before he is locked away for good or are they waiting for another James

[joeysteele]

Heartbreaking to see the videos of James playing and dancing,I hope Denise and Ralph get justice one day,(but it looks unlikely)and I hope Venables gets a nice cell mate that will make him feel the fear and pain James felt,but I suppose he will be 'protected' again.

He will.
Because another new identity will be on the cards too for when he's released.
He'll likely be kept separate, his real identity hidden,as you say getting protected again.

[Kazanne]

He will.
Because another new identity will be on the cards too for when he's released.
He'll likely be kept separate as you say getting protected again.

Shame the law aren't as diligent in protecting children from this vile piece of ****,the fact he had a paedophile manual should be a wake up call.

[joeysteele]

Shame the law aren't as diligent in protecting children from this vile piece of ****,the fact he had a paedophile manual should be a wake up call.

On this,I think the law has been and is shocking.
It really opens up why people lose faith in the legal system.

You are spot on Kazanne,I think all they have on these new charges again are disturbing.
You say wake up call,for me it's actually a wonder another child hasn't been harmed by Venables.

The truly evil issues as to when he was 10,still very much evident in his behaviour now.