More than three decades after losing her little boy, Denise Fergus has been confronted with another deeply painful sight — damage to the place where her family goes to remember him.

The mother of James Bulger has vowed not to give up until whoever vandalised her son’s grave is found, after discovering that two cherished cherub statues at his memorial had been badly damaged.

The incident came just weeks before what would have been James’ birthday on March 16, making the discovery even more devastating for a family that gathers at his resting place each year to remember the little boy they lost.

Denise issued a powerful message to whoever was responsible:

“I will find you, you will be caught, you will face justice.”

For Denise, the damage was about far more than broken stone.

The two cherubs had stood beside James’ grave for around 30 years, becoming deeply symbolic pieces of the memorial and a familiar part of the sacred place where she could quietly grieve, reflect and feel close to her son.

Two cherubs on James Bulger’s grave destroyed(Image: James Bulger Memorial Trust / SWNS)

When she arrived and saw the damage, she said she broke down in tears.

The heads of the cherub statues had reportedly been smashed, with broken pieces found on the ground.

Denise described the discovery as devastating, explaining that the statues carried enormous sentimental value after remaining beside her son’s resting place for so many years.

In a particularly heartbreaking reflection, she noted that the cherubs had been part of her life for far longer than the tragically short time she was able to spend with James.

A sacred place disturbed once again

James was just two years old when he was abducted and murdered in Liverpool in 1993, a case that shocked Britain and remains deeply etched in the country’s collective memory.

His grave has since become an intensely private and meaningful place for his family — somewhere they can mourn away from the headlines and remember James simply as the little boy they loved.

That is why the latest damage has caused such anguish.

For Denise, the grave is not merely a memorial.

It is where she goes to remember her son.

It is where the family gathers.

And every year around James’ birthday, it becomes especially important.

But this year, Denise fears those precious moments will be overshadowed by what happened.

James Bulger’s vandalised grave.(Image: James Bulger Memorial Trust / SWNS)

The family had been preparing to gather at the graveside on March 16, as they traditionally do, when news of the vandalism arrived.

Instead of seeing the familiar memorial as they had known it for decades, they now face the painful reminder that someone deliberately interfered with a place they consider sacred.

Denise said the family was already speaking with someone to determine whether the damaged cherubs could be repaired.

But even if the physical damage can be restored, the emotional impact may be much harder to erase.

“This year will not be the same,” she said of the family’s planned birthday remembrance.

It is not the first disturbing incident

Perhaps most troubling of all, this is reportedly not the first time James’ grave has been targeted.

The memorial was also vandalised on two occasions in 2022, leaving Denise deeply concerned that the latest incident could be connected to previous acts.

She has questioned whether the same individual may be responsible and has urged anyone with information to help identify whoever is behind the damage.

The repeated incidents have reportedly forced the family to make a heartbreaking decision: removing items from James’ grave because they fear they could be damaged or taken.

Denise said no mother should have to worry about whether cherished objects left at her child’s resting place will still be there the next time she visits.

Adding to the mystery, a sentimental cuddly toy is also reported to have disappeared.

Denise described it as a yellow transforming bear known as “Bill the Bear,” which had been kept in a bag.

She appealed to anyone who may have seen someone carrying the bear or a suspicious bag away from the area to come forward.

For the family, even the smallest piece of information could potentially matter.

Police investigation underway

Merseyside Police confirmed they were investigating the reported damage and appealed for information that could help identify the person or people responsible.

Local Policing Inspector Chris Taylor said officers were taking the incident “extremely seriously” and remained determined to establish who was responsible.

The investigation now leaves one central question hanging over this deeply upsetting case:

Who would repeatedly target the grave of a little boy — and why?

For Denise Fergus, however, one thing is already clear.

More than 30 years after her son’s death, she remains fiercely protective of his memory.

The grave is where James’ family can step away from everything that has surrounded his name and simply remember him as their son, their brother and the little boy whose life ended far too soon.

And after seeing that precious place damaged once again, Denise has made a promise she does not intend to forget:

She will keep seeking answers until the person responsible is found.