Judge who granted anonymity to Venables defends decision

Jon Venables would risk being killed by vengeful vigilantes if his new identity is revealed, the judge who granted anonymity to the killers of Liverpool toddler James Bulger has warned.

Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, former president of the family division of the High Court, stressed "the enormous importance of protecting his anonymity now and if he is released because those who wanted to kill him in 2001 are likely to be out there now".

Butler-Sloss gave her backing to British Justice Secretary Jack Straw's decision to reveal nothing about Venables' recent alleged offence that might lead to his identification.

The crossbench peer, who retired as a judge in 2005, told peers: "This young man may or may not be tried. He may or may not have committed offences. There is, of course, at least the possibility that he has committed no offence.

"And consequently, he may therefore be allowed again to be out (of jail) on licence."

Butler-Sloss urged ministers to "take into account" the enormous importance of protecting Venables' anonymity.

She was commenting after Mr Straw's statement was repeated in the Lords by his junior minister.