Psychiatrist report said James Bulger killer posed a 'trivial risk'

Published on Wednesday 10 March 2010 00:26

A PSYCHIATRIC assessment of James Bulger killer Jon Venables compiled before his release reportedly said he posed only a "trivial" risk to the public.

The account is said to have formed part of the legal case for Venables' release under a new identity.

Prepared in 2000, it states "the risks to the public are so trivial that, strictly in relation to that perspective, immediate release would be justified".

The document also revealed that Venables had "come to terms" with the killing of the toddler.

It reads: "The Jon Venables of today is a very different person to the Jon Venables aged 10.

"It has been a very important part of his rehabilitation so far that he has come to terms in a wholly realistic way with the awfulness of his behaviour eight years ago."

The judge who granted Venables' anonymity has warned he could be murdered by vigilantes if his new identity is revealed.

Both Baroness Butler-Sloss and Justice Secretary Jack Straw have defended the need for secrecy amid growing public pressure for more details about why Venables, 27, was sent back to jail.

The toddler's mother Denise Fergus has accused the government of treating the issue like a political football and of closing doors in her face.

Venables, who was 10 when he and Robert Thompson carried out the brutal killing in Bootle, Merseyside, is reported to be under investigation by police over allegations he was looking at child pornography.

Mr Straw indicated there would be a major inquiry if Venables was charged with another serious crime.

Venables and Thompson were released with new identities in 2001, having served eight years for the murder.

Mrs Fergus is due to meet Mr Straw later this week.