My brother is with me

MICHAEL, now 25 and a landscape gardener, has always had James in his life.

And he understands why his mum Denise was so anxious. He said: “When I was young, if I went out I knew I couldn’t go far.

“Mum was either looking out the window, or standing in the doorway, trying to hide.

The main issue was school trips. I would often come home wanting her signature for a trip away and she would just say no.

“But mum would have a change of mind if my stepdad came along as a supervisor.”

Michael adds: “James isn’t a shadowy figure looming over us. If I have ever asked a question, mum has told me straight and everything has always been out in the open.

“It’s helped that friends and colleagues have always looked out for me, too.

“When the Venables child porn story broke, it came on the radio in the work van with the lads. They turned it off, saying, ‘We don’t want you to have to listen to that’. Once, in a bar, a security guard came up and said: ‘I recognise you, you’re Denise’s lad. If you ever need anything or there’s ever any issues, here is my card. Call me any time.’

“It’s good to know there are good people out there,” Michael continued.