Bulger killer police file handed to prosecutors

PROSECUTORS have been handed a police file of allegations against toddler James Bulger's killer Jon Venables, it was announced yesterday.

Venables, who killed James in 1993 with Robert Thompson, was recalled to custody last month for breaching the terms of his licence.

Reports have alleged he was found with child sex abuse images on his computer, but ministers have confirmed only that he faces "serious allegations".

The Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether to press charges, the organisation said.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "A file in relation to the suspect known as Jon Venables has today been passed to the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service.

"A decision as to whether or not charges will follow will be taken as soon as practicable."

Venables and Thompson were ten when they killed two-year-old James in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993. They were released in 2010 with new identities on life-long licence, requiring them to obey strict conditions such as not contacting each other or returning to the city where James was killed.

The CPS would not disclose which police force handed them the file for fear of giving away where Venables had been living.

Details of the investigation have been withheld to ensure there is no risk to a potential trial.

An injunction prevents publication of any information which may lead to the identification of Thompson or Venables.