Bulger killers' identity to be protected

The killers of James Bulger are to have their identity protected when they are released from prison.

The decision to protect the identity of Jon Venables and Robert Thompson was handed down at the High Court in London.

Family Division President Dame Eizabeth Butler-Sloss said because of the unique circumstances involved, she had to take steps to protect their lives and physical well being.

The decision came despite argument by media organisations that open justice, press freedom and the public's "overriding right to know the identities of those who committed serious and detestable crimes" would be imperilled.

It had been argued at the High Court that the threat of revenge attacks against 18-year-olds Venables and Thompson necessitated an injunction barring publicity about the pair after their imminent release from secure local authority accommodation, even though they are now adults.

The judge said she was "convinced that their lives are genuinely at risk as well as their physical safety if their new identities and whereabouts became public knowledge".