James Bulger killer Jon Venables attacked with boiling water in prison
JAMES Bulger’s child killer Jon Venables had boiling water chucked over him in prison after a row with an inmate who revealed his secret identity, it has been revealed.
Jon Venables' anonymity must be lifted says James Bulger's dad
Prison officers had to “de-escalate the situation”, but Venables is said to have claimed they “did nothing at first” and “didn’t do enough” to protect him.
Venables was one of two 10-year-old child killers who murdered two-year-old James Bulger in February 1993.
He has lifelong anonymity due to fears for his safety.
A source told the Daily Star online: “They’ll end up getting him.
Jon Venables was 10-years-old when he murdered James Bulger in 1993
“It’s just a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said “incidents (like this) happen all the time in prison” and declined to comment further.
Venables has lifelong anonymity after the murder of James in Bootle, Liverpool.
Robert Thompson was also jailed for the murder of 10-year-old James
The source said: “Every single person knows that he’s there.
“They’ve put a price on him.
“It’s not safe for him.”
Venables and his accomplice Robert Thompson served eight-years in prison each for the abduction, murder and torture of James.
James Bulger's body was found near train tracks in 1993
Denis Fergus
The pair were released aged 18 on a lifelong licence with new identities, granted because it was feared that members of the public might carry out revenge attacks.
The source said Venables has apparently shown little remorse for the murder, and is baffled as to why everyone still has a “problem”.
Calls for a public inquiry into the murder of James, led by his family, were dealt a blow las week.
The government said it was “not necessary” despite a petition being signed more than 190,000 times.
James’ mother Denis Fergus said the inquiry would “help me get some justice for my son”.
The two-year-old was snatched by Venables and Thompson at the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle when she let go go his hand briefly.
Venables and Thompson took him away and attacked him, before leaving his mutilated body on a railway line in Walton, Liverpool.
James’ body was found two hours later.
Venables and Thompson are the youngster convicted murderers in modern English history.
Venables was jailed again after he was convicted of possessing 1,170 indecent images of “vulnerable” children.