The boys lured James away from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, and took him to a railway line, where they subjected him to a sustained and sadistic attack. They beat him with bricks, stones, and metal rods, and sexually assaulted him. They then left him to die on the tracks, where he was hit by a train.
The boys were caught on CCTV and were arrested shortly after the murder. They were tried as adults and convicted of murder, making them the youngest people to be convicted of murder in modern English history. They were sentenced to life in prison, but were released on licence in 2001 after serving eight years.
The Venables and Thompson case has been studied and debated by criminologists and psychologists for many years. There is no single explanation for their behaviour, but some common theories include:
* Psychopathy: Psychopathy is a personality disorder that is characterised by a lack of empathy, remorse, and guilt. Some experts believe that Venables and Thompson may have been psychopathic, which would help to explain their callous and sadistic behaviour.
* Social learning: Social learning theory suggests that behaviour is learned through imitation and reinforcement. Venables and Thompson may have been exposed to violence and aggression in their own lives, and may have learned that this was an acceptable way to behave.
* Environmental factors: The boys grew up in a deprived area of Liverpool, where crime and poverty were rife. Some experts believe that these environmental factors may have contributed to their offending behaviour.
The Venables and Thompson case is a complex and disturbing one. There is no easy answer to the question of why they committed such a heinous crime. However, by understanding the possible causes of their behaviour, we can better protect children from future harm.