James Bulger

Yes I was a young mum then too..Still upsets me to this day. I had a 2yr old and a 4yr old it was horrendous...

The boys who tortured and killed James had the kind of background that causes huge damage

Barleyfields

Yes. Heart-stopping. M&S in my case. He was just behind a rail of clothes but I will never forget.

I had exactly that experience when for about thirty seconds my three year old had gone. I let go of his hand to put a dress back on the rail and he was no longer there - he too had walked behind the clothes. The jolting, sickening fright comes back to me still. -

Perhaps the boys were upset and acted in anger

Allira

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.

Yes Aalira, I agree. I met someone on the jury .. those boys carried out unspeakable & unimaginable acts to that poor baby James that were never reported. My heart goes out to his mother/family. I also hope the perpetrators get healing .

Thank you OldFrill

Anniebach

I understand that, is the book about the murders or her life leading to and after

From the reviews it seems to be about her life and why she murdered, the book is a supposedly a useful investigation into why she murdered. It's called "Cries Unheard" of you want to look it up. It's reviewed 3.88 out of 5 on Goodreads if you use that.

This case hit me hard. I had a cheeky 2 year old at the time, very prone to running off when out shopping. We all held on extra tightly as this story progressed.
And of course it has never ended for all those directly involved

It was so sickening to watch that little boy walk off with those 2 damaged kids. I always wondered what sort of parents they had and thought the parents needed treatment as much as the two murderers. I seem to remember one was much worse than the other one.

I understand that, is the book about the murders or her life leading to and after

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.

I haven’t read the book , have you ?

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.

Then leave her alone surely

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

No, l believe she's out on licence.

Mary Bell had served her punishment

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.

Totally wrong of the journalist.

"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.

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

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.

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 ?

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.

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.