Vandals decapitate cherubs on murdered toddler James Bulger’s grave

The mum of murdered toddler James Bulger said her ‘heart is broken once again’ after discovering his grave has been vandalised.

Denise Fergus pleaded for anyone with information to come forward after her son’s headstone was damaged and two cherubs either side of it were smashed.

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.

Writing on Facebook, she said: ‘I’m devastated someone could be so cruel and hurtful to my James.’

She said the vandalism is believed to have been done sometime between 10am and 3.30pm yesterday, February 26.

The post features photos showing the damage, with the heads of the cherubs lying among what looks like other chunks of marble scattered on the ground.

Denise wrote of the vandalism: ‘Today I felt my heart break once again.

‘We got a message from a lady walking her dog at the cemetery where James’s resting place is. She sadly told us his headstone and surround had been vandalised.

‘We rushed down there to find the cherubs each side of his headstone had been smashed to pieces.

‘I need to find whoever done this to my son’s resting place.

‘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*****d has done this… to a baby’s grave! Really?’

She urged anyone with information to contact either the James Bulger Memorial Trust or contact Merseyside Police.

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

Inspector Chris Taylor said: ‘We are taking this matter extremely seriously and remain determined to find the person or people responsible.

‘To vandalise a grave is completely abhorrent and it’s truly shocking to think that someone could commit such an appalling act.

‘Officers attended the scene when the incident was first reported and we are supporting the family during our enquiries.’

It is another blow to the family, with Venables 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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