Drug dealer who found James Bulger’s body 24 years ago is jailed after claiming the horrific discovery pushed him into a life of crime
Terence Riley stumbled across two-year-old’s corpse on Merseyside railway line as a 13-year-old in 1993
A DRUG dealer who found murdered toddler James Bulger’s body is back behind bars today – after claiming his discovery 24 years ago led him into a life of crime.
As a 13-year-old schoolboy in 1993 Terence Riley stumbled across the two-year-old’s corpse on a Merseyside railway line.
In 2009 he was jailed for 12 years after being extradited from Holland to face justice over a £4million drugs conspiracy.
During that case eight years ago Riley’s defence said: “He has seen things which no young person should have to see.
“Of course, finding James Bulger’s body on the railway line, without any counselling, was bound to have some effect on such a young person.
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“One wonders if he had undergone counselling and got the help he needed after that incident, whether he would find himself in the position he is today.”
But, now he is back behind bars after leading police on a high speed chase, reaching speeds of 50mph in a 20mph zone.
At Liverpool Crown Court Judge Anil Murray accepted he may have suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder linked to his discovery of toddler James – but due to his “bad record” for driving, jailed him for 12 months.
The court heard how Riley, 37, recently of Liverpool, led cops on a high-speed chase across Merseyside last April 9.
It ended with him losing control and smashing head-on into another car, injuring Darren Evans, Tina Barnes and their 11-year-old son.
Terence, who suffered a lump to his head, ran away but was caught by an officer and admitted: “I was at a party. I’m high!”
A swab test showed the presence of cocaine but he refused to give a blood sample when taken to hospital.
His victims were treated for cuts, bruises and chest pain, while the child was left shaking and feeling sick.
When interviewed by police, Terence asked about the boy’s condition and described himself as a “scumbag”.
He admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to provide a blood sample.
Louise Santamera, defending Riley, said: “Mr Riley is very sorry. He was particularly anxious about the young boy.”
James was abducted from The Strand shopping centre in Bootle by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson on Friday February 12, 1993.
Within three hours, the toddler was dead, but his body was only discovered on the railway line by Riley and his brother James the following Sunday.
Venables and Thompson were sent to secure children’s homes and have since been given fresh identities.
