Man detained after James Bulger's grave vandalised in Liverpool

A man has been detained under the Mental Health Act after the grave of murdered Merseyside toddler James Bulger was vandalised. Two cherub statues next to the two-year-old boy's headstone were damaged at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool in April - the second time the memorial had been vandalised within six weeks. Police said a 78-year-old man from the Lancashire area had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and theft and was later detained under the Mental Health Act. He remains at a mental health hospital. James was taken from his mother in February 1993 at a shopping centre in Bootle by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson - then both aged 10 - who tortured and killed him. Members of the public raised more than £23,000 for the family after the vandalism. Speaking after the first incident, James's mother Denise Fergus said she felt "heartbreak" over the destruction. Det Insp Jemma Berry said: "The 78-year-old man was detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 under compulsory detention. "Our investigation has now concluded and officers will be informed of any developments or consideration for discharge. "During the investigation detectives established that several g

Jun 18, 2026 → Jun 18, 2026