Pensioner, 78, arrested after murdered toddler James Bulger's grave is vandalised

James Saunders
Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:33:06 +0000

A 78-year-old man has been taken into custody after James Bulger's grave was damaged for the second time in six weeks.

The toddler's headstone at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool was targeted on Friday, with the heads of two cherub statues snapped off.

Merseyside Police detained the 78-year-old at 4.10pm the same day on suspicion of criminal damage and theft.

Officers had been alerted to the damage at approximately 1.20pm.

The incident follows a similar attack on February 27, when the cherubs were also decapitated, a smaller angel figure was discarded in a bin, and a yellow teddy bear was taken.

Denise Fergus, James's mother, said the second attack on her son's headstone had "broken our hearts".

"I am absolutely disgusted that James' grave has been demolished and devastated again," she said.

"The cherubs that we had got repaired with great care just a few weeks ago, have once again had their heads scythed off.

"How evil do you need to be to vandalise and destroy a child's grave? I am devastated."

The family had only recently restored the memorial following the February incident.

Mrs Fergus voiced her fury and heartbreak at the repeated targeting of her murdered child's final resting place.

Katie McCreath, the family's barrister, described the situation as deeply troubling for Mrs Fergus and her relatives.

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"This is an incredibly distressing development for Denise and the wider family, who are once again having to endure the pain of such a deeply upsetting and senseless act," she said.

"The family are understandably devastated. James's resting place should be a place of peace, reflection and respect. The repeated violation of that space is both shocking and difficult to comprehend."

Ms McCreath said the grave should serve as a tranquil memorial rather than a site of repeated criminal acts.

James was two years old when he was abducted, tortured and killed on February 12, 1993, by Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 10 at the time.

The pair became the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history after being found guilty of murder and abduction.

Temporary Detective Inspector Viki Lanceley confirmed Friday's arrest and pledged to support the family throughout the investigation.

"A man has now been arrested and we will continue to update and support James's family as the investigation progresses," she said.

"I would encourage anyone with information to come forward directly to police as soon as possible."

The suspect remains in police custody.