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.”
