'I've lost faith in system' says mother of James Bulger

The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger says she has lost faith in the justice system after her son's killers were granted anonymity.

Denise Fergus says Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were protected with a cloak of secrecy while they were children but now that they are adults they did not deserve special treatment.

Norman Brennan, director of Victims of Crime Trust and Denise's spokesman, said outside the High Court: "Denise says she's disappointed with today's descision. Whatever corner she's turned she's been faced with injustice.

"The only shred of hope was that Her Honour Dame Butler-Sloss might turn down the application but Venables and Thompson have been given anonymity for the rest of their lives. "

Denise said in a statement read out by Mr Brennan: "They simply don't deserve it. What right have they got to be given special protection as adults.

"Both Venables and Thompson have dragged me and my family and the name of James through every court possible in this country and in Europe.

"The European Court of Human Rights has become a friend of the criminals and an enemy of the victims.

"I will continue to fight for justice for James. That is all I've ever wanted."