James Bulger's grave vandalised again at Liverpool cemetery, man arrested

Cherub statues on James Bulger's headstone at Kirkdale Cemetery have been cut off for the second time in six weeks. A 78-year-old man from Kirkby has been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.

Grave of murdered toddler James Bulger targeted for second time in six weeks

The headstone of murdered two-year-old James Bulger at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool was vandalised for the second time in six weeks on Friday afternoon, bbc.co.uk reports. Two cherub statue heads positioned next to the grave were cut off shortly after 13:00 GMT.

A 78-year-old man from Kirkby has been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. James's mother, Denise Fergus, is described as "devastated" by the latest attack on her son's resting place.

Katie McCreath, director of KMC Legal and part of Denise Fergus's legal team, confirmed the incident in a statement. "We are deeply saddened and angered to confirm that the headstone of James Bulger has once again been subjected to vandalism," she said. "This marks the second incident of its kind, and it is both distressing and unacceptable."

The grave had previously been damaged in February, when the same two statues were smashed. Following a public appeal after that first incident, more than £23,000 was raised to fund repairs. The family said they were "touched" by the generosity of the public.

McCreath added: "For any parent, a gravesite is a place of reflection, peace and remembrance. To have that space violated not once, but repeatedly, is something no family should have to endure. The impact of this goes far beyond damage to property. It is a deeply personal and emotional violation."

James was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle in February 1993 by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 at the time. He was tortured and killed, his body left on a railway line.

Det Insp Viki Lanceley of Merseyside Police said the force was continuing to "update and support James's family" and appealed for witnesses to come forward. "I would encourage anyone with information to come forward directly to police as soon as possible," she said.

Source: The Sun