Child Killer Now a Dad Himself
Can you say “yikes”? 23-year-old Robert Thompson is no normal 23-year-old. When he was 11, he and fellow truant Jon Venables went on a minor crime spree. The day ended in a major tragedy when they inexplicably and senselessly abucted 2-year-old James Bulger and beat him to death. These days, Thompson is a free man, living under an assumed identity in north England. He’s also something else: a dad. Reports have leaked out that Thompson has a child with his ex-girlfriend, and that he sees his offspring on a regular basis. That’s more than Denise Bulger, James’ mother, will ever get to do again.
Reading the story of the murder on Crime Library is heartbreaking. As one section notes, when the boys went back home after they committed the murder, they were both beaten by Venables’ mother for being out late. The two had perpetuated the circle of violence that had already ensnared them; they were victims as much as victimizers. It’s clear from the record that Thompson was the more calculating and cold-hearted of the duo. It’s no surprise, given the kid’s upbringing: an abusive dad who eventually left, a brutal alcoholic mother, and five brothers who tormented their younger siblings in turn. It’s clear that Robert was by nature a calm, non-aggressive - some may even say “girlish” - chil, but that being in that household warped him. His foremost crime was one he couldn’t control: he was born a Thompson. One has to wonder why the Thompson boys weren’t removed from their poisoned environs before it became too late to save them. Society abused the Thompsons as badly as Thompson and Venables abused James Bulger.
Still, as much as I believe people like Robert Thompson can change, I hope for his baby’s sake that the relevant authorities are keeping a very, very close eye on him.
Tags: England, father, murder, toddlerRelated Stories
POSTED IN: murder
8 opinions for Child Killer Now a Dad Himself
Lori
Jan 2, 2006 at 10:25 pm
I have read a lot on this particular crime, and I know it is wrong to judge another human being, but this man is far from human. He is a monster who should have been castrated. Anyone capable of such heinous acts on a child has no right to have one of their own.
Krisco
Jan 3, 2006 at 8:35 pm
I remember that story, and seeing the video of the “older” boys walking the younger boy off….it was so heartbreaking, knowing what would happen. And the little one excited to be included. It was horrible.
I wonder what he feels now. He was just a child then. Obviously a disturbed and hurt one, to even know to do that. But I really wonder.
thordora
Jan 4, 2006 at 5:22 am
I wonder that myself. I wonder how he sleeps at night. I wonder why his parents haven’t be punished just as much.
By the same token, some acts should nullify your rights to bear/create/raise children. I believe in redemption, but it’s hard to believe that people can always defeat their upbringing.
sam
Jan 5, 2006 at 7:00 am
please please tell me it isnt true i remember this story onlny becauseit haunted me i couldnt believe that children could kill children and now that kiddy killer has a child now that i find would be the most heart rentching for james mother my heart is with her
Mrs.Sainsbury
Jan 6, 2006 at 1:57 am
This shouldnever have happend. thay shold both hav been kept in prison till 18 and then given the death penalty! i dont care how young thay were when thay did this, thay knew what thay was doing waswrong obviously. and to gibe them almos 2 mill to start new life.. that is just sick.. most ppl would be so thrilled to get that kind of money, its like a reward for killing? omg. and all this is the english tax payers money.. thank god i live in norway. my tax money will deffenatly not go to killers.
Helen Docherty
Jan 18, 2006 at 6:51 am
I have just read for the first time the actual details of James Bulger murder. I feel so angry and overwhelmingly sad that so many people saw these older boys with a tiny little two year old who was visibly hurt and did precisely nothing. They’ve got blood on their hands in my opinion, and should forever hold there heads in shame.
daniela
Feb 1, 2006 at 10:04 am
i cannot believe that such a crime has been comited what did he evevr do to the two monsters?! nd for one to have a child is digusting i feel sorry for the child i hope both venables nd thompson rot in hell wer they should be now. r.i.p james forever in my heart!!
meredith
Mar 9, 2006 at 2:06 pm
I too think these 2 should rot in hell for what they did to little james. Also anyone who helps or did help them so rot in hell to. I would(with a smile) do to them what they did to that baby.(everything they did) Then I think justice would be served. They didn’t care when he cried, trust me I would love to see them cry. Because I would keep on BEATING.