UK Court to Protect Teen Killers' Identities

L O N D O N, Jan. 8 -- A judge has barred the media from disclosing the new identities of two teenagers who will soon be eligible for parole in the torture slaying of a toddler — one of the most notorious killings in recent British history.

In an unprecedented order today, Judge Elizabeth-Butler Sloss said she was convinced that Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both now 18, would be in danger if the public knew who they were and where they lived.

Venables and Thompson were 10 years old when they abducted, tortured and killed 2-year-old James Bulger in 1993. They are eligible for release this year, and new identities will be created for them.

“These young men are uniquely notorious and are at serious risk of attacks from members of the public as well as from relatives and friends of the murdered child,” the judge said.

After reviewing press coverage of the case, Butler-Sloss concluded “that certain sections of the press would not wish the two young men to remain anonymous and would wish to have them identified.”

Baying for BloodMedia organizations that opposed the order were grantedpermission to appeal. The order applies only in England and Wales.

“There are already too many restrictions on reporting thecourts and this is another worrying precedent,” said RobertSatchwell, director of the Society of Editors.

Ralph Bulger, the victim’s father, last year said he intended totake revenge against the pair if he could find them. His attorney,Robin Makin, said today that “if there were adequate punishment,the furor would die down and society would feel less unhappy aboutthe situation.”

Denise Fergus, the victim’s mother, protested that the decisiontrampled on the family’s rights.

“As children, one can understand them being given someprotection but what right have they got to be given specialtreatment as adults as well?” she said in a statement read toreporters by Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of CrimeTrust.