Merseyside Police is investigating the vandalism in Kirkdale Cemetery
The heads of two stone angels, which sit in front of the gravestone, have been damaged, leaving the statues headless(Image: Denise Fergus)
A GoFundMe page set up after murdered toddler James Bulger’s grave was vandalised has raised over £20,000 in a matter of days. James was just two when he was abducted, attacked and murdered by then-10-years-old Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in February 1993.
James mum, Denise Fergus, said on Thursday (February 26) her son’s grave in Kirkdale Cemetery had been vandalised. Photos shared by the family showed the heads of two stone angels, which sit in front of the gravestone, had been damaged, with the heads broken off and on the floor.
Merseyside Police confirmed to the ECHO it was investigating the vandalism. In the wake of the disgusting incident a close friend of Ms Fergus and James’ step-dad Stuart set up a fundraiser so the grave can be repaired.
Craig Ashman, from West Derby, said: “For someone to do something so drastic as that, it’s just heartbreaking. As a parent myself, I wouldn’t want that at all. The woman’s going through enough as it is, trying to fight for everything she’s fighting for, and then she’s got this on top of it, she doesn’t need it.”
James Bulger(Image: ITV)
In a message posted on the fundraiser, Ms Fergus said: “I felt my heart break once again. We got a message from a lady walking her dog at the cemetery where James’s resting place is. She sadly told us his headstone and surround had been vandalised.
“We rushed down there to find the cherubs each side of his headstone had been smashed to pieces. I need to find whoever done this to my son’s resting place. I try to help as many families as I can with either justice campaigns or helping families through the charity I set up in his memory and some horrid b****** has done this… to a baby’s grave.”
The fundraiser was set up with a goal of reaching £13,000 for the repairs, as well as to help with Ms Fergus’s annual charity ball in March. But in just a matter of days over 1,700 people have donated to the fundraiser and raised just shy of £20,500 at the time of writing.
James Bulger’s grave has been vandalised(Image: Denise Fergus)
Merseyside Police local policing Inspector Chris Taylor said: “We are taking this matter extremely seriously and remain determined to find the person or people responsible. To vandalise a grave is completely abhorrent and it’s truly shocking to think that someone could commit such an appalling act.
“Officers attended the scene when the incident was first reported and we are supporting the family during our enquiries. If you were in the area and saw anything suspicious or have any information about what happened, please get in touch as a matter of urgency.
“We believe the vandalism was caused at some point between 9am and around 3pm so if you know anything, come forward.”
James was led away from Bootle Strand shopping centre by the older boys. His body was found on a railway line in Walton two days later. Thompson and Venables were found guilty of his death making them the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history.
You can continue to donate to the fundraiser HERE.
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