James Bulger

In contrast 1994 Norway had two younger boys set upon a girl they were playing with. They were not put in prison and were not judged

I remember that case, mokryna. And if my memory serves me correct they were back in their school a couple of weeks later.

James Bulger case was horrifying. But not the first. Mary Bell killed two little boys in the 60s.

The adults banging on the van was vile. 2 ten year old children.
if they had reached the children , what ?

Anniebach

The adults banging on the van was vile. 2 ten year old children.
if they had reached the children , what ?

I feel and felt very dmsad for little James, truly alful for him, and his family.
The above said I still shudder when I remember grown ups banging on the van with children in it screaming and shouting hang them. The crowd were absolutly savage.

If they could have reached those boys at that time what would they done, such rage

I can still see little James being led away by those two boys it's a image I'll never forget,

Franbern

The press loved this story, and ensured that every possible grizzly details regarding any of the three children was there to be salivated over. Of course, this was the only country in Europe where the two boys would have been tried in open, adult court - not even tall enough to be able to see over the witness box.
What they did was horrible no doubt about it -but how sections of the public were up was just as bad. I can remember newspaper and tv photos of adults with their own children sitting on their shoulders chasing after the police van and battering it. Disgusting!!!

Sadly, only one of those two have been rehabilitated, the other has to remain incarcerated.

I was so relieved to read this point of view, which is the same as mine. I was afraid to post it, because I thought I would be shouted down. At the time, I remember feeling completely sick not only about the tragedy, but about the uncivilised treatment of the two small boys, who in many countries would have been considered below the age of criminal responsibility..

Allira

^What they did was horrible no doubt about it -but how sections of the public were up was just as bad.^

No, it was not just as bad.

Agreed. Of course it wasn't just as bad. How can anyone honestly say that.

It still brings tears to eyes just to think about that poor little boy.

Quote flappergirl Thu 13-Feb-25 19:41:18
Allira
What they did was horrible no doubt about it -but how sections of the public were up was just as bad.

No, it was not just as bad.
Agreed. Of course it wasn't just as bad. How can anyone honestly say that.

We don’t know what they would have done to the children ,
is uncontrolled anger excusable but not the emotions of the
two children ?

Good point Anniebach. What kind of example were those people setting to their own chikdren

These people were upset and angry. What they did was wrong and I did not say otherwise and yes, it was a poor example to set for their children.

But it was not as bad as deliberately torturing and murdering a tiny child.

Wrong -v- evil.

Rula

*In contrast 1994 Norway had two younger boys set upon a girl they were playing with. They were not put in prison and were not judged*

I remember that case, mokryna. And if my memory serves me correct they were back in their school a couple of weeks later.

James Bulger case was horrifying. But not the first. Mary Bell killed two little boys in the 60s.

So what was the message there?

Children are capable of evil acts.

The crowd shouting and banging the van were acting on their
emotions, no one knows what they may have done to the children people kill in anger. The two children acted on their emotions, a thrill ? excitement? anger ?

I don't know why the children commited that evil act, but shouting 'hang them and banging on the van with those boys inside was primal and disgusting, no one can justify the behaviour of that pathetic ill educated mob.

R.I.P James. Thinking of the family and friends of James Bulger, they will never forget.

"MaryBell" has led an uneventful life as an adult.
She was "outed" by a journalist some years ago. I thought that was unnecessary, particularly for this woman's young daughter.

Totally wrong of the journalist.

Iam64

Totally wrong of the journalist.

I think it was sparked by Mary Bell profiting from a book written about her. Mary Bell maybe should have kept her head below the parapet, at least to protect her daughter ( 14 at the time and didn't know about her mother's past.

Mary Bell had served her punishment

No, l believe she's out on licence.

She is, and will be for the rest of her life.

Then leave her alone surely

Leave her alone to profit from murder? I'm bemused anyone would think that a murderer profiting from those murders is acceptable, and should be left alone. I hope James Bulger's murderer (also out on licence) doesn't contemplate it. To me it crosses a moral line that society should not allow. I hope they have tightened the law on profiting from crime memoirs because it is a disgusting concept.

I haven’t read the book , have you ?

No, I've read reviews and they seem positive, l don't like true crime books. I don't object to the book, l object to her being paid for collaborating. I don't think criminals should profit from their crimes.