James Bulger’s mum Denise Fergus becomes a grandmother for the first time
THE MOTHER of murdered toddler James Bulger has become a gran for the first time, the Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Denise Fergus, 53, was left devastated when two-year-old James was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside and tortured and murdered by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in February 1993.
Now, in what would have been James’ 30th year, she has become “the proudest grandparent” to a little girl called Payton by her son Mikey Fergus, 26, and his partner Leanne McPadden.
A source said: “After suffering such unimaginable sadness, Denise feels blessed at becoming a grandmother for the first time.
“It is perhaps even more poignant that this has happened in what would have been James’ 30th year.”
In May, mum-of-three Denise excitedly announced the impending arrival, sharing a photo of a pink teddy and baby scan on social media.
She also wrote that she and husband Stuart were “gonna be the proudest grandparents to our baby granddaughter”.
Writing on Instagram she added: “My first grandchild is on its way. I couldn’t be happier.
“I’m so excited and can’t wait, love you both and the little one so much #blessed."
Venables and Thompson, who were just 10 at the time, snatched James away from The Strand Shopping Centre and took him to a nearby railway line before torturing and killing him. They were jailed for life but released on licence with new identities in 2001.
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Venables was sent back to prison in 2010 and 2017 for possessing indecent images of children. He was recently refused parole.
Denise founded the James Bulger Memorial Trust which was set up to benefit and support young people who are disadvantaged by bereavement, or a victim of crime, hatred or bullying.
A spokeswoman for the family said: “Denise is absolutely over the moon and smitten with her granddaughter.”
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