James Bulger’s mum has shared an emotional message on what would have been her son's 33rd birthday.
James was murdered in February 1993, one month short of his third birthday, by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who were both aged 10 at the time. His death shocked the world and left his family devastated.
On Thursday, March 16, James would have turned 33. And his mum Denise Fergus, who established The James Bulger Memorial Trust in 2011 to help others, posted a message on Twitter, alongside a photo of the youngster.
She wrote: "Today should of been James's 33rd birthday. Sadly the only way we will be marking this day is at James's resting place with my family and friends placing flowers for him. #HappyBirthdayJames"
A number of well-wishers and Twitter users responded to her post, wishing James a happy birthday and saying "thinking of you". One person wrote: "33 wow ... Still as heartbreaking today as it was then ... Happy heavenly birthday James, love to Denise."
Another added: "Awww. So sorry denise. He’ll never be forgotten. Happy birthday James xxx"
A third commented: "Birthday love, darling boy. You're never ever forgotten. Sending so much love to your family and friends."
And a fourth message read: "Party in Heaven darling James I never met you but you are in my thoughts always your a special boy and we all love you."
Thompson and Venables were convicted of James' murder in November 1993. The pair were jailed for life but released aged 18 on licence with new identities in 2001.
Thompson has not reoffended. But Venables was sent back to prison in 2010 and 2017 after being caught with child sex abuse images on his PC. He was turned down for parole in 2020 after serving his minimum 40 months’ sentence.
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