REGARDING 'Bulger's killers are victims too' (Letters, January 18), how anyone could write such comments is beyond belief.

I confess to being unaware of the exact events, but having seen on video a picture of the culprits, one on each side, leading away this small boy, was enough to convince me that the key should have been thrown away.

These lads slaughtered a trusting child, just for the hell of it.

All the prayers and repenting in the wide world will not atone for his death. His mother will never see him grow up. No, all there is is a grave with a few flowers perhaps, and lots of tears from lots of people. When are these people, all victims in various ways, to be considered in the vital decisions?

How does this compare to life in prison for a few years? Not in the slightest.

Over a span of 60 years, I have never known a more dreadful crime.

Every 10-year-old lad, and younger, knows exactly what he is doing, unless he is very, very thick. A child of three knows when it is being naughty. Children know right from wrong even though the experts don't think so.

Also, if more juvenile offenders' names were published perhaps there would be less crimes and criminals. It certainly was a fact in the closer-knit communities of the wartime era. At that time "Johnny Jones" was known by everyone, he was always found out if he did wrong, and to "get your name in the papers" was a disgrace.

Consider the killers' release. New identities? Who is to know? Will future employers, banks, shopkeepers, girlfriends, future fathers-in-law and associates be informed? Will the police have full monitoring facilities?

Or, are the crime records to be wiped out with the new faces? If another murder is committed will all records be available to all and sundry, and taken into account in the courts? Will the press be allowed full access? I fear not.

Oh, what a tangled web the Establishment weave when they practise to deceive. What will the end of this saga be? Not a happy thought.

A WALMSLEY (Mr), Greenside Avenue, Blackburn.