Robert Thompson, one of the killers of toddler James Bulger, has said he had a 'better life' in prison as a result of the murder. In a statement to the parole board in 2001, Thompson claimed he became 'a better person' behind bars and expressed remorse for the killing.
The statement, obtained for a Channel 5 documentary, shows Thompson, now 36, saying he was 'desperately sorry' for the murder. He also detailed his traumatic childhood, stating he was 'completely out of control' at the time of the crime because 'my life on the streets was better for me than my life at home'.
Thompson and Jon Venables were 10 years old when they abducted, tortured and killed two-year-old James Bulger in 1993. They became the youngest convicted murderers in English history. Thompson told the parole board he had lied about his involvement after being overwhelmed by public reaction.
The pair were released in 2001 with new identities under licence. Venables was later jailed in 2010 and again this year for possessing child abuse images. The parole board declined to comment on Thompson's statement.
