You know, I can’t help but think, sometimes, that the media does more harm than good.
Occasionally.
I really do.
Hmmmm …
I think I’m going to need to tell you a little bit of back-story, before I start opinionating, hadn’t I?
Back in 1993, the whole of the UK was horrified by the news that 2 year-old James Bulger — in the larger photo — had been kidnapped from a Bootle shopping centre, tortured and then killed.
By Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.
Who — at the time — were both ten.
Ten.
It was the fact that the two killers weren’t that much older than their victim that shocked many, I think.
Well …
OK, only 8 years older.
But CHILDREN, none-the-less.
Venables and Thompson received life sentences, at Preston Crown Court.
And — under UK law — received what’s called a ‘Whole Life Tariff’, with a recommendation that they serve 18 years.
The subsequent protests, wrangles, petitions and rulings eventually saw that reduced to 8 years; and the pair were released in 2001, aged 18.
Complete with a lot of legal protection that meant their (new) identities — or where-abouts — being published.
Understandably.
The killing they committed aroused the proverbial great wrath and furious anger.
But it seemed that — much like Mary Bell — Venables and Thompson had learned their lesson, and were rehabilitated.
Until recently.
It seems Jon Venables has breached his licence.
We’re not allowed to be told why.
Although reports indicate he has seriously violated the terms of his parole.
For — according to one Sunday paper — child pornography offences.
Now what happens about Venables’ anonymity all depends on your point of view.
Some in the media seem to think Venables should be publicly named, shamed, hung, drawn, quartered, fried with onions, and put in a lightly toasted bun.
I personally think his anonymity should protected.
Contentious?
Possibly.
But given the seriousness of the charges he — apparently — faces, I’m kinda with Justice Minister, Jack Straw, in thinking — or knowing, more likely’s the word — that should his identity come to light, Venables wouldn’t get anything like a fair trial.
And would be out of prison — on a legal technicality — in a matter of hours.
And, if he has been downloading a lot of kiddie porn?
I think I’d rather someone like that gets a fair trail.
To quote Terry Pratchett, from Nightwatch: “We want the bastard to hang, after all.”
7 comments:
Life should mean life, and if we as a country can't afford to keep them hang the little *********.
Well my comment is this, the two boys who tortured and murdered that little boy should have been put to death. They should not be protected ( that little James was not protected was he) and we should all be told what that jon venables has been put back in prison for.
I know this might seem harsh for some but this is my opinion and i have a right to it.
As a mother to 2 children and another on the way, if someone ever harmed my kids i would personally hunt them down and torture and kill them myself.
i think that the little fuckers should have been put through the same torture and suffering that litte james had to go through. i know some people say they were only 10 and kids themselves, but to do what they did they new what they were doing. instead of costing the tax payer money just kill the fuckers......... im sure there are plenty of people out there (me included) that would gladly do it.!
I have little kids and it makes me ill to think about this.. thats all Alfy
This is awful cause there is a whole can of worms that have reopened up and around this way. I remember the news reports all too well and heard some disgusting things they did to the little boy, i wish i hadn't to be honest because what they did no "child" should be able to comprehend.
A lot of people are saying he should be named and shamed, yes maybe he should but lets not forget
he was a child as was his Thompson and both children only knew how to cause such acts and violence because of their upbringing. By no way i am condoning what they did, but i can't help but feel sad that children could do such things and wonder is it because of their upbringing.
I'm also going to say i'm disgusted at Jame's mother, she forgets the real reason she was in the shopping centre that day, and how she's used
the media to her advantage. By no way here am i saying she deserves what she got, because nobody deserves what happened to her son, but she's no angel and people forget that.
So if his name becomes public knowledge, he won't even get to court because someone will get to him first, and we all know that will happen, and what is the point of killing him when he should be made to rot in jail for crimes he committed.
Whatever he did he DOES deserve a fair trial so that he can't be let out on a technicality and let roam the streets to have another go at someone elses child, and do more evil things.
I have 3 children and to think one of my kids could be his next victim just chills me to the bone and yes if i'm honest would make me want to turn into a vigilante, but once again as a parent i also feel saddened to think they were also let down by their parents in many ways, yes a child at 11 knows right from wrong, but when you are not brought up you are dragged up and not treated as a child, it does make you wonder what happened to the people supposed to looking out for them as well. There is no point in blaming social workers or police or their parents, they did it and now they have to live with it, but knowing what else he did won't bring back the little boy who was just looking for some attention when his mother was doing something else and took her eyes off him.
I just think people should back off and let him have the trial, give him a proper sentence and THEN reveal the details if it is within the interest of the public.
The only crime I would support the death penalty for is treason (watch out Nu-Labour), and never for minors. Death penalty is state murder - murder in my name - and just a form of revenge seeing as we have prisons to keep dangerous people away.
It seems that reform has failed if this boy has committed another crime, but the media is pretty good at blowing things out of proportion. The definition of child porn has recently been altered to include cartoons and pictures, so one could theoretically be prosecuted for reading 30 year old Beanos.
Why has reform failed (again)? There is no good pointing fingers at Venables and Thompson. Ten year olds are not fully responsible for their actions. If serious crimes are committed we have to ask is it the fault of society and how can that be improved.
I believe in repentance and reform and in giving people a second chance. These boys had served the custodial sentence they were (eventually) given. It is well-known that a significant proportion re-offend. Perhaps it is time to revamp the system to better reform people.
I don't see any merit in uncovering identities at this stage. This new crime should be considered on its own "merits", and not be tainted by association with previous crimes. It is not the same crime as last time, and everyone has the right to a fair trial - innocent until proven guilty (unless the press decides otherwise).
I’ve got to confess, I do know I’m — sort of — with Clare and RP: he should be tried, as he is now.
However, I can remember the revulsion the death of James Bulger caused, in many people, myself included.
And the sheer disbelief that it could’ve been done by two children: regardless of how well or badly they may have been brought up.
And I think that’s going to be greater in the case of the parent’s I know Tim, Gwen, Sue, and Alfy to be.
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