I think it's obscene that a killer of someone else's child is free to have his own, but what is even worse is that the woman he impregnated was denied her right to make an informed choice of who she wanted to father it. In effect she was deceived with the collusion of the authorities who gave Thompson his new identity thereby denying HER the chance to decide for herself if this was the sort of person she wanted to be with, let alone as a father and role model for her child.

This is what I meant about the legislation being unworkable since it will always involve placing one person's rights above another's.

Yes, crimes involving money and property have always attracted disproportionate sentences compared to crimes against the person, in particular murder and rape. That just goes to show the value placed on human life.
What about some of the pathetic sentences handed down to drunk drivers who kill? Sometimes a couple of years and a driving ban - it's an absolute joke.

Oh, and that's a whole new issue,the drink driving farce that is supposed to be justice,as you say, a total disgrace. plus again the excuse that although its wrong,the death or serious innjury would not have happened had the driver not been drinking, that otherwise he/she was a responsible and good member of society hence some greater leniency.
Responsible !! they still drank and still drove knowing they should not.

Just as with child abusers, most 'seem' reponsible and good members of society until they are caught and then we get the mental health issues after that, oddly enough rarely before they are caught though.

A car is a lethal weapon in the wrong hands and i agree some of the sentences handed down to some of the morons is pathetic,they seem to think it was 'the car' that was at fault NOT the driver!!

It's called the Bystander Effect. People just [generally] don't want to be the one to 'speak out'. It's sad but it's true...

I have to admit, I don't make an moves to get involved in arguments of any physical engages in the streets as to adults.

I hate to see children being treated badly though and I guess had these been adults with poor young James then maybe something may have been done by others. Because they were also children (but older),maybe some people put it down to bigger Brothers mad at having to have their younger brother along.

With hindsight, its easy to say what should have been done,what others should have done,the bystander effect as has been said here,is becoming the norm in society now.
However,I if I saw or thought a child was in distress I would have to at least ring Police or alert them to what may be a harmless activity but also maybe could not, but be as it was with James, a very serious matter indeed.
I would make no apolgies for that, and if it turned out to be a waste of time for the Police, then thank all powers that be that was the case, but better safe than sorry afterwards. It is too late for James but it is a disgrace that lessons have not been learned even yet,so that still children are still in great danger from those that should be their protectors.The rest of a decent society.

The saddest thing of all is, even now still too,is that some try to make excuses for the abusers and murderers,which in light of the James Bulger case alone is beyond belief as to the realms of any decency.

True, and the excuses are ,they just stepped out,but then after that statement the drunken driver from their selective memory cannot recall anythnig else as to the incident.
Or, its the car went out of control,I couldn't avoid hitting them.
Never simply the fact, its their(the driver's) fault they drank too much ,they drove the car.