Thompson and Venables

Blog # 3

Thompson and Venables




The story of James Bulgers killing is perhaps one of the most heard about story there is in regards to children that have killed. February 12th 1993 would be the date that when remembered would send chills down the spine. The two young boys had intentionally skipped going to local school in the city of Liverpool and had planned to find a little baby who they could hit and abuse. The chilling story starts as they find little Jamie Bulger outside a Butchers shop. Jame's mother had left her children outside for a moment whilst she waited for her order to be ready. She thought that the children, who were becoming irritable would be better outside in the fresh air. However the two boys approached Jamie and took his hand and led him away from the other children, who were under the impression Jamie had gone away to play. In a series of disturbing outbursts the boys took turns to take out their inner frustrations on Jamie, kicking him and punching him to force him to walk, when he began crying for his mother. The two children led Jamie past the canal and under a bridge so that their monstrous act would be hidden. They began somewhat playfully, pushing Jamie towards the river until eventually they pushed him in. Jamie was picked up and dropped onto his head violently. The toddler began to cry loudly, the boys became afraid of being discovered so they began to run away, however they told the courts of how they decided to turn back after being sighted by a woman with children nearby. The boys decided to put Jamie's hood up so that his injuries would be concealed. The little boy was tormented further as the boys led him towards the train tracks. It was here that they would perform the terrible act that would end Jamie's life and see their confinement in an institution until their adulthood. The attack lasted for approximately forty five minutes. The boys began to splash paint over Jamie, over his body and into his eyes. They then beat the little boy with bricks, and stripped him from the waist downwards, the boys most horrific attack would perhaps be after this when they forced batteries in the toddlers backside, this is perhaps one of the most disturbing things that the two boys did. In their final disgraceful act the boys hit Jamie with an iron bar and threw him onto the train tracks. They covered the little boys face with bricks to conceal him and walked off down the road. The boys actions following the attack were most disturbing, they carried on their lives as usual. They loitered around outside shops until eventually they went home and had dinner. Thompson and Venable's were soon bought into custody, where they eventually admitted to the crime, but each blamed the other in many aspects. There was an uproar in the media hundred of newspapers were printed following the court case and revealing the shocking facts about the case. This caused terror throughout society and many people were merely disgusted when it was confirmed that the boys would eventually be let out in their later life. Many people believed that the boys behaviour was because of a film that they had watched, the boys had had said to have mimicked the film in various ways. The film was an eighteen which raises further questions; how were the boys able to watch the film?