Challenge to killer’s right to anonymity

The father and uncle of murdered toddler James Bulger have launched a legal challenge against an order made almost two decades ago which has allowed killer Jon Venables to live under a cloak of anonymity.

Details of an application by Ralph and Jimmy Bulger was aired at the High Court for the first time at a hearing in London yesterday.

Sir James Munby, the most senior family judge in England and Wales, was asked to deal with preliminary issues in the case which relates to an order originally granted in 2001.

Sir James, president of the High Court’s Family Division, confirmed that James Bulger’s mother Denise was not involved in the application.

The father and uncle are represented by solicitoradvocate Robin Makin, who told the judge he needed material relating to the proceedings dating back 18 or 19 years to prepare his case properly.

Sir James said he did not understand the relevance of that material to the application.

Mr Makin said it was because the injunction was granted on the basis that Venables was rehabilitated and would not re-offend.

The situation has changed as he has since been convicted on two separate occasions, most recently in February.

James was murdered by 10-year-olds Venables and Robert Thompson after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

Sir James said the case would return to court for further directions on a future date.