The horrific 1993 murder of two-year-old James Bulger remains one of Britain's most shocking crimes, primarily because the perpetrators were two ten-year-old boys. Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were convicted after a three-week trial at Preston Crown Court in November 1993, serving approximately eight years in secure accommodation before their release on life licence in June 2001 with new, court-protected identities.
The Parents' Controversial Perspective
In November 1993, shortly after their son's conviction, Jon Venables' parents Susan and Neil Venables offered a disturbing explanation for their son's involvement in the brutal killing. Speaking to PA Media, they presented a narrative that attempted to contextualize their son's actions while expressing sympathy for the Bulger family.
"He Is So Weak": Characterizing Their Son
Susan Venables described her son as fundamentally weak and easily influenced. "You look at him and you say to yourself, 'How could you be involved in anything like this?'" she told reporters. "On the other hand, you are looking at him and you are saying 'Well, I know why - because he is so weak'. He did like to be liked, and loved to have friends, and he has got involved with the wrong person."
She further characterized Jon as "loving, caring, thoughtful and considerate . . . fun to be with" while simultaneously suggesting he lacked autonomy in the crime. "I would say he was provoked. He is one of those children that if you told him to put his hand in the fire, he would," Susan claimed, emphasizing what she perceived as his suggestible nature.
Fear and Coercion Allegations
The Venables parents asserted that their son had been intimidated by Robert Thompson. Susan explained: "He is easily led. He didn't want to hurt James. He was fearful of the other boy. He was fearful, he was weak and he was provoked."
According to their account, Jon claimed Thompson had threatened him with violence from an older sibling. "All he said when we've said 'Why didn't you run away?' and things like that is that he was frightened. He said he was frightened of Robert's older brother. Robert said 'If you tell anybody I'll get my big brother to batter you up'," Susan recounted.
Parental Defense and Grief
Neil Venables offered a stark assessment of his son's character in relation to the crime: "If you had a league table of children, you would put him at the bottom of the list for anything like this." Both parents expressed profound grief for the Bulger family while maintaining their parental bond with their convicted son.
"My heart really goes out to them. I wish we could turn the clocks back," Susan, then 36, said of James Bulger's parents. "I think about little James and what he must have gone through, how they must feel. I know how I feel as a mother. It is just heartbreaking."
Neil, 40, added through tears: "I feel for that family. I feel so sorry for them. I have lost my son as well. We will never be able to do the fun things any more . . . football, snooker, things like that."
Defending Their Parenting and Home Life
Susan Venables vigorously defended their family environment against media portrayals. "I don't think we went wrong as parents at all. He has had more love and attention than a lot of children I know," she asserted. "Contrary to what the papers will tell you, he is not a little urchin boy. He is far from it. He has had security with loving parents and a loving brother and sister."
She described Jon as "quite bright and clever" despite concentration issues and hyperactivity, noting he had never been a habitual truant and had experienced normal childhood holidays and celebrations.
Divergent Paths After Release
Since their 2001 release, the two convicted killers have followed dramatically different paths. Robert Thompson has not been known to reoffend, maintaining his anonymity under the court-ordered lifetime injunction.
Jon Venables, however, has been recalled to prison twice - in 2010 and 2017 - both times for possession of child sexual abuse images. He remains incarcerated as of March 2026, though reports indicate he is scheduled for an upcoming parole hearing two years after his last appeal failed.
Parental Acknowledgment of Guilt
Despite their explanations for their son's behavior, the Venables parents acknowledged the gravity of his crime. "What he's done is wrong so he needs to be punished," Susan stated. "What upsets me is I've no way of bringing him up for the rest of his young years so he's going to lose all his childhood."
She revealed that Jon occasionally mentioned James Bulger after his arrest, becoming upset and saying "I know, Mum" when discussing the crime. "He is broken-hearted over it," Susan claimed, presenting a complex portrait of a convicted murderer grappling with his actions according to his parents' perspective.
