Luton Outlaws - Independent Message Board for Luton Town FC

Having done quite a bit of reading up on this case it sounds to me like Thompson was the main perpetrator with Venables being perhaps easily led and naïvely joining in. However, since then their lives appear to have taken very different turns.

Thompson, despite showing no remorse or emotion during the trial and sentencing appears to have amended his life and managed to keep well under the radar. It's very difficult to find anything about him in recent years and yet it was apparently his idea to abduct and kill a young child that day.

Tragically, and by complete contrast, Venables was distraught during the trial and sentencing appearing to understand the gravity of what he'd been partially responsible for. Since then he seems to have lurched from one disaster to another including having a sexual relationship with one of the female wardens at his young offenders hostel. His lack of capability of making good choices became evident when he accidentally revealed who he was then was frightened for his life, hence one of the new identities.

It makes me wonder what went on in the lives of these kids to make them think that abduction was an ok thing? I wonder why we don't hear anything about Thompson anymore? I wonder why Venables has fallen apart? Seemingly a classic and extreme example of how your life can end up by falling into and following the wrong crowd. A stark warning to all kids it seems.