Do you think Robert Thompson is truly rehabilitated?

[Cheffymcchef]

As we all know, James Bulger was a two-year-old boy from the UK whose tragic abduction and murder in 1993 shocked the world. Taken from a shopping center by two ten-year-old boys, John Venables and Robert Thompson, his death became one of the most harrowing and widely known cases in modern British history. To this day, nearly everyone who hears his name knows the heartbreaking story and the profound impact it had on public consciousness and the justice system.
both boys were released after serving 8 years, when they turned eighteen. John Venables returned to prison twice for possessing CSAM. He is currently still in prison.
I personally think Venables is sick and can’t be “cured” of his attraction to kids. He will always reoffend imo, even if his devices etc are taken away. He needs to stay in prison. He’s also allegedly revealed his identity and needed several new identities costing the taxpayer even more. I know you get all this “stop it now” therapy- I just don’t think pedophiles can be cured. It’s like trying to do conversion therapy on a straight person.
I don’t know how I feel about Thompson- he committed a heinous murder, but did his time in custody. He’s never reoffended and now allegedly lives with a partner who knows who he is. Can’t remember if he has children. From studying this case, it always seems like he was deemed the ring leader, yet he is the one who has cleaned himself up and stayed out of trouble.
both boys allegedly came from abusive households.
I know poor James' mum will never get over his death. I cant imagine the mixed feelings she must have, she likely thinks it was wrong for either boy to be released so young.
I can’t say I’d be too thrilled about Thompson moving into my area if that’s the case, but truthfully I think if he’s done his time he needs to be left alone now to live his life . But that’s probably a wildly unpopular opinion- because James will never get to live his life.
what do you think?

posted in crime but moved here for traffic

You seem to know so much and seem so certain about what you know. But you didn't know James' name until it was pointed out to you. I won't be engaging with this thread again, feels a little odd to me.

What do I know that’s not on Wikipedia/obvious news articles?

this comment contradicts itself. I had seen him referred to (in the same news articles) as Jamie, I did not realise that was not his nickname, I edited it once I realised as you can see.

The only things I have posted factually is stuff on Wikipedia/ articles from valid sources ie not daily mail and the like. I’ve no idea what your problem is.

More dangerous than someone who is capable of abducting, torturing and and brutally murdering a toddler when they were 10? I would say he’s capable of much more dangerous things

I am happy to provide a source/reference for whatever post of mine you are referring to if you guide me to it.

I've not sent you any DM and any edit I've done is there for all to see. I hope you get the help you need.

John Major was absolutely right when, in reference to this case, he stated that sometimes “society needs to condemn a little more, and understand a little less”.

I thought you said you were leaving?

anyway, as I said, you don’t need to announce your departure from the thread.

”get the help you need” seriously man 🤣 that’s always the leaving tagline from someone who can’t think of anything original to say.

I don’t know why people join this thread just to make comments like yours. You can’t police the forum. Take yourself elsewhere.

Mary Bell has 1 child, a daughter and is now a grandmother

I heard that. They’ve all been granted anonymity orders too. Presumably Thompson would also be allowed children the rules are different for Venables although I’m not 100% sure.

He’s commented on this in his statement to the parole board back when he was released. He said he’s had a better life than if he had not killed James.

This is taken out of context a bit. The full statement said something along the lines of his life is better for being punished. He said he was desperately sorry, whether people choose to believe that or not I don’t know. I’ll find the link.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-46209074.amp

Horrific.

If he genuinely was rehabilitated i.e. felt remorse and actually understood the impact of his actions then he’d have committed suicide because no person with any humanity could live with that guilt.

The fact they are both still alive when both have had the opportunity to kill themselves demonstrates they are psychopaths and therefore, with their history of deliberate and planned violence and torture, will always be a danger to the public and should never, ever have been released.

I agree, there’s got to be something so fucked up inside you to do what they did, I’ve read a lot about this case and Thompson was raised by a single mother and she was very neglectful but thousand of other kids have been raised in a similar environment and manage to live their lives without murdering toddlers.

The statement is in the link above, pp took it slightly out of context. But obviously most people would still find his actions completely unforgivable and that is very understandable.

’"I do feel aware that I am now a better person and have had a better life and a better education than if I had not committed the murder.”

Not really out of context? What he is essentially saying is his life is much better for committing murder

I met an adult social worker who worked with a lot of perpetrators of DV and SA - its possible with the right choices but not all of them make the right choices.

It’s OP. My account got banned by MN for some reason which is disappointing. so I have made this one but I realise it’s probably relating to posting this thread so I will no longer be posting on it. Have asked them why I have been banned no response. I am a little confused as this post still remains up and I’ve only been here a few weeks. I appreciate the discussion tonight. Thanks guys

I do agree with that, I think it haunts Venables the most hence the in and out of prison, the drug taking and putting himself at risk by revealing his true identity more than once to people. It’s self destruct to do that but it’s like he doesn’t care.

You should be banned for saying such things as “some people blame Denise.” To put that on a public forum is shameful. No one with a brain would blame Denise - I feel she deserves empathy beyond comprehension for what she has gone through. Her anguish and pain is immeasurable and for the grace of god most won’t understand.

The paint, the tying him him up is only what was released. Neither Denise or the public know the FULL extent of what they did as it’s too horrific. Jon came from a stable home so how do you explain away his actions. Other than he was born evil. It’s his nature. Not nurture.

I said some people blamed her at the start and linked an article. I did not say I blamed her.

To regurgitate such nonsense on a public forum should not be repeated. What if she read that. Does she need reminding that idiots came out with such crap?

It’s not an unusual thing to say or feel though.