Judge defends anonymity for Bulger killer Venables

JAMES Bulger killer Jon Venables could be murdered by vengeful vigilantes if his new identity is revealed, the judge who granted his anonymity warned.

Both Baroness Butler-Sloss and Justice Secretary Jack Straw defended the need for secrecy amid growing public pressure and a direct appeal from the toddler's mother for more details about why Venables, 27, was sent back to jail.

Lady Butler-Sloss said those who wanted to kill him in 2001 are likely to be still out there.