Bulger killer 'accused of sex crime'

James Bulger killer Jon Venables was taken back into custody in the UK after he was accused of committing a sex crime, it was reported today.

It was initially reported that Venables, 27, was recalled to prison after a fight at work but the Sun reported that was untrue.

It reported it had uncovered the "exact details" of the alleged offence but was unable to publish them in full because it might lead to Venables' new identity being uncovered.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the recall to custody involved some "extremely serious allegations" as he prepared to meet Bulger's mother.

Denise Fergus has demanded to know what the convicted murderer did to be sent back to prison and she is expected to meet Mr Straw in the coming days.

Justifying his decision not to disclose details of the recall, Mr Straw said: "Our motivation throughout has been solely to ensure that some extremely serious allegations are properly investigated and that justice is done.

"No-one in this country would want anything other. That is what the authorities remain determined to do."

Venables was released in 2001 on licence with a new identity after serving eight years for the infamous murder of two-year-old James.

He and his friend Robert Thompson were just 10 when they battered the little boy to death in Liverpool.

Venables was recalled to custody last week for breaching his licence terms, which included conditions not to travel to the city or contact his accomplice.

The British government's refusal to give any details of the breach has prompted a storm of press speculation about what he did.

Mr Straw said: "I said on Wednesday that I was unable to give further details of the reasons for Jon Venables' return to custody, because it was not in the public interest to do so.

"That view was shared by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"We all feared that a premature disclosure of information would undermine the integrity of the criminal justice process, including the investigation and potential prosecution of individual(s)."

Mrs Fergus, 42, only found out about his recall on Tuesday shortly before the news became public.

She disclosed her torment about being informed by a probation officer, telling the Daily Mail: "I threw question after question at her, but she blocked every one.

"My fear was that he'd hurt another child, or any human being.

"I just don't want anyone else hurt by Venables or Thompson. I wanted to know that he hadn't done to someone else what he did to James and me.

"All kinds of horrible thoughts were going through my head, and they still are because no one will tell me what he's done. It's wrong - as James's mother, I have a right to know."

Venables has reportedly made several trips to the city where he murdered the toddler since being released, despite the ban on him doing so.

He is said to have visited nightclubs and a pop concert in Liverpool and even watched Premier League side Everton at Goodison Park.

The killer is also reported to have worked as a nightclub bouncer.

But Venables has reportedly not visited Bootle, the city district where he and Thompson snatched James 17 years ago and took him off to his death.

There are fears that his recall could see his new identity being discovered because of fellow prisoners' suspicions about special treatment.

In 1993 he and Thompson led James from a shopping centre on a two-mile walk to his death.

They battered the little boy and left his body on a railway track for a train to cut it in two.

The British Prime Minister said that although he understood the public "outrage" surrounding Venables' licence breach, the UK government would not comment on individual cases.

Venables will appear before a Parole Board hearing within 28 days to examine why he was taken back to jail.

A spokesman for the Parole Board said it was likely the result of the hearing would be released because of the high-profile nature of the case.

But the reasons for the recall were unlikely to be made public at this stage, he said.