Murdered toddler James Bulger’s grave vandalised for a second time

This marks the second such incident.

Two cherub statue heads beside the two-year-old’s headstone at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool have been cut off.

In February 1993, James was lured away from his mother at a Bootle shopping centre by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 at the time, who then tortured and killed James.

Merseyside Police have said the damage to the grave happened on Friday (April 10).

Katie McCreath, part of James' mother Denise Fergus' legal team, said she was "devastated" by the vandalism.

"We are deeply saddened and angered to confirm that the headstone of James Bulger has once again been subjected to vandalism," McCreath, director of KMC Legal, said.

"This marks the second incident of its kind, and it is both distressing and unacceptable.

"Denise is understandably devastated."

The grave was damaged for the first time back in February when the same two statues were smashed.

Speaking after the first act of vandalism, James’s mother said she felt “heartbreak” at the damage.

More than £23,000 was raised following an appeal to repair the grave, with the family saying they were “touched” by the public’s generosity.

McCreath added: "For any parent, a gravesite is a place of reflection, peace and remembrance.

"To have that space violated not once, but repeatedly, is something no family should have to endure.

"The impact of this goes far beyond property damage. It is a deeply personal and emotional violation."