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

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Sat Jun 23 2001 - 11:31:59 PDT

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    [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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