The Release of Jamie Bulger's killers

[Rhiannon]

What are your thoughts on the release of the two boys that killed Jamie Bulger?

Do you think they should have been released and if so under what circumstances?

My personal view is that they should stay in custody. This was a very public case, still fresh in peoples' minds. My little girl is 2 the same age that Jamie was when he died. It sickens me to think about what they did at 10 years old and possibly what they are capable of in the future.

I read an article in the Independent this Sunday about the large number of British children murdered by a family member, usually the father. Britain's statistics are very high compared to elsewhere in Europe - at least one child a week. The point was made that few of these stories make the headlines. Many of the facts are hazy as in the case of smothering, and legal complications stop other stories being reported.

The article listed many of these murders and the length of sentence the murderer was given. Well under 10 years in many cases. One case was especially highlighted. A father murdered his daughter, with an elemnent of pre-planning, yet the anguished mother pointed out he would serve about 30 months in jail - the age of her daughter when she was killed.

In this context, the 8 years that James Bulger's killers have served doesn't seem so short.

However, especially after reading over these last few messages I do feel, increasingly, that the terms and conditions of their release should be exceptionally stringent to match the crime they committed.

What Lil's psychiatrist friend says is frightening, but surely at 10 years, pre-puberty, characters are still not fully formed?

yes Tigermoth I thought that as well. I mean where do you draw the line which says at which age a personality is now fixed?

There is that saying (can't remember who said it1).."show me a boy at seven years and I'll show you the man".

are there any mumsnet psychiatrists out there who can add to this?

I have found this thread absolutely fascinating - I haven't had much time recently to come and shove my twopenn'orth in so to speak.

My intial feelings having read various reports of how the two boys despatched James were that I don't care about all this c**p about them having a life to lead now - what about James'. When their case was up for review in the European courts of Human Rights - saying that their trial was unfair _ I was livid - what about James Bulgers right to live?

What I think has made me so sick and angry other than what they actually did is the way they are now going to be retrained - given jobs (how else will they explain their missing years) money you and I have contributed BECAUSE they killed a little boy. Well if thats all the punishment they are going to receive lets encourage more bullied people to find a way out of their miserable little lives! The ferocity and frustration I feel sometimes about this whole case cannot be expressed fully on here and certainly shouldn't be.

However, I have read some amazing and intelligent viewpoints which have made me look at this in a newer light.

BUT my feelings are still that I don't want them living near me or my daughter and that they should suffer for the rest of their lives because James Bulger can't even do that. I hope that they cannot sleep at night, are fearful of new friendships and that they are in a living hell because that is the least they deserve - they are still alive remember and James isn't.

Last thought: How do the authorities monitor them - can they get jobs with children? etc. One of our daughters could end up marrying one of them without ever knowing...

I hope they continue to remember what they did and not somehow just push it to the back of their minds and get on with, what could be, a very happy life (they could win the lottery, move abroad to the sun) James cant. Their punishment hasnt stopped other youngsters doing awful things, I read this week a group of youngsters (I believe from 10 -14) terriosed an old lady which resulted her collapsing and dying. I cant remember but I think they are being charged with manslaughter, lets see what their sentence is.