FC: U.K. bans publication of info on toddler's killers -- forever

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[Summary: Two boys who murdered a 2-year old tot when they were 10 years 
old are now 18 years old and about to be given new identities by the Crown. 
To protect them from attempts at revenge, the government has permanently 
banned the publication of any info about their new identities -- which 
creates a problem, since photos of them are apparently available and could 
circulate online. Originally they were convicted to 15 years in prison, but 
are now have to be released because of a ruling by the European Court of 
Human Rights. --DBM]

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http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=83688
Lives of falsehood and fear await killers
2001-06-23 03:28:10

It would be illegal for media in England and Wales to identify them but the 
courts would struggle to prevent details of their new lives being posted on 
the Internet. An up-to-date photograph of one of them is already said to be 
circulating in Merseyside and may be posted on a website. If either boys 
new circumstances are made known, the process of building a new identity 
will have to be carried out again, at yet more expense.

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http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20010623/wl/crime_britain_breach_dc_1.html
UK Probes Possible Bulger Murder Identity Breach
2001-06-23 05:11:10

``The attention of the attorney general has been drawn to an article in 
today's Manchester Evening News, which appears to be in breach of the 
injunction granted by the High Court on 8 January 2001, as it contains 
information which might lead to the identification of the present 
whereabouts of John Venables and Robert Thompson,'' a statement said. ``The 
attorney general is considering as a matter of urgency whether it would be 
appropriate to issue proceedings for contempt in the light of this.'' If 
contempt of court proceedings go ahead, the Manchester Evening News could 
face an unlimited fine and its editor could be jailed.

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http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=83773
Pair may cost the British taxpayer £5 million
2001-06-23 03:28:11

Thompson and Venables will be monitored by probation officers for the rest 
of their lives, adding to the cost of the operation. There have also been 
reports that they will have special phone links to police stations in case 
of vigilante attack.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/uk/newsid_1403000/1403867.stm
Paper denies 'breach' of Bulger order
2001-06-23 04:10:05

A newspaper has denied knowingly breaching an injunction preventing the 
publication of details about James Bulger's killers. The Manchester Evening 
News is in talks with the Attorney General after it published information 
on the whereabouts of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables.

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http://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13803902
BULGER KILLERS GO ON HOLS
2001-06-23 03:28:11

Earlier this week it emerged that £1.5million has been spent creating new 
identities for the boys. Both teenagers and their families have been given 
new names, birth certificates, passports and National Insurance numbers. 
They will also get fully-fitted £65,000 homes with the £270-a-week rent 
paid. On top of that they are in line for free cars, credit cards, police 
protection and cash handouts for the rest of their lives - all paid for by 
taxpayers.

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http://www.latimes.com/print/asection/20010623/t000051931.html
Student Killers of Boy, 2, Paroled
2001-06-23 07:28:47
Fearing attack, the teens won a High Court injunction protecting their new 
identities and prohibiting the British media from publicizing any 
photographs of them taken since the time of the murder or any details of 
their new lives that might lead to their being recognized.

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http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?f=/stories/20010623/599892.html
Toddler's murderers to be freed
2001-06-23 05:45:06

The privacy decision in the Bulger case was opposed by some free-speech 
advocates, who argued it stifled the media's ability to report the news, 
and by members of victims' rights groups, who say the killers were being 
granted unusual privileges. "They should take their chances on the streets 
like every other murderer who is released," said Dee Warner, a spokeswoman 
for Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, a lobbying group.

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http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/UK/06/23/bulger.paper/index.html
Bulger injunction breach investigated
2001-06-22 23:40:05

News of the publication of details, which were also carried on the paper's 
Web site, drew an astonished reaction from legal experts and MPs. Any 
newspaper found to have breached the injunction could face an unlimited 
fine or the imprisonment of their editor under the Contempt of Court Act.

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