James Bulger’s mum has found happiness in her life again thanks to her young granddaughter Peyton.
Denise Fergus sees tiny flashes of James in the baby, who is now 16 months old.
When her granddaughter visits, Denise said she is always drawn to the picture of a smiling young James on the mantelpiece.
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James, was just 2 when he was tragically abducted and murdered 29 years ago by two evil killers, both aged 10.
In an exclusive interview, Denise told the Sunday People how her granddaughter has “helped remind her of the happiness in the world”.
She said: “Peyton has been a power of strength for us and helped the light come back into our lives after James.
“Her dad Michael looks so much like James and I can see him in Peyton, too. It’s lovely.”
Denise will tell Peyton about her uncle James one day but said her granddaughter “is a reminder to try to focus on the happiness in our lives, not the tragedy”.
She added: “There is not a day I don’t think of James and now having Peyton in our lives gives me even more strength to fight in his name.”
Denise needed all that strength last month when it was revealed Jon Venables, 39, one of James’ killers, is bidding for parole. He will appear at a hearing later this year.
She said: “I’m living an amazing life and most the time I’m flying with happiness but when this comes up it drags me back down again.
“It just deflates me, it’s just so hard. It’s been never-ending.
“But I will fight with everything I possibly can to keep him in prison. It is a life battle. I’ve done it from the beginning and I’ll do it until the end.”
Denise, 53, who has three other sons – Thomas, Leon and Michael – will never accept an apology from Venables, or speak to him, saying: “I don’t believe he’ll ever be sorry. He should never be allowed back on the streets.”
She and husband Stuart are also battling to keep the James Bulger Memorial Trust alive after fundraising was blighted by covid and they received no Government help.
The charity foundation helps young people affected by a crime or bereavement by offering them stays at a holiday lodge.
James’ brutal torture and murder in 1993 at the hands of Venables and Robert Thompson shocked the nation. The twisted pair snatched James from Denise as she was out shopping in Bootle, Merseyside.
They were jailed but also given lifelong anonymity and new identities following their release.
Venables was first released in 2001 but then recalled in 2010 and 2017 for possession of child abuse images.
Thompson, also 39, is now free and is living under a new identity.
Denise said: “What happened to James is something I think about every day. It has got easier over time but especially when something comes up like it just has, it comes back. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to shift that off.
“I’m hoping and praying he doesn’t get released because he’s still capable of evil. He’s proven to everyone that he’s still got it and that’s why he’s locked up again.
“I think if he comes out he will do something because he’s so used to being looked after now. He’s a danger to society. I don’t want another family to go through what my family has been through – you’re on a rollercoaster ride from the beginning. He knows where I live, he knows what I look like. I’m not getting told where he lives and I don’t know what he looks like.
“Now the lads are older and we’ve got the new baby I’m going to be worried. I don’t know if he’s going to be standing outside my house while we’re all sleeping.
“I’m hoping to God he doesn’t find out where Michael lives.”
Denise was told by her lawyer that Venables had asked if he could speak to her and say sorry.
She said: “I wouldn’t accept his apology. What would he expect me to say. It’s OK? When you murdered my boy in the worst possible way? You can apologise over saying something wrong, but not taking someone’s life.”
She also hit out at the criminal justice system, saying: “How much money has he had spent on him?
“New identity, new life, protection, yet we live on the edge of our seat. They always look after the one who taken someone’s life and not the victims. It’s wrong on every level, the law should be changed on that.”
Denise and Stuart have taken solace in their family.
Thomas, Leon and Michael lived at home with her until recently.
In November 2020, Michael and partner Leanne had Peyton, Denise’s first grandchild.
Later this month, Denise and Stuart are hosting the Black Tie and Tiara Ball for the James Bulger Memorial Trust.
The event takes place on Saturday, March 26, at the Crowne Plaza, Liverpool.
Tickets are £60 and are available here
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