Young victims' parents want attackers named

London: The parents of the two young boys left close to death after being tortured by two sadistic brothers have called for them to be named and shamed.

In their first interview since their sons' attackers were jailed, they say the law should not allow the siblings to escape the legacy of their appalling crime. The father of one of the victims said: "They should never be allowed to hide from what they've done.

"I believe they could do this again so people should know exactly who they are. I understand they won't be released until the authorities believe they have been rehabilitated — but they're evil.

"People should have the right to know if there are people like that living anywhere near them."

The parents say their children are scared of possible further attacks when the brothers are finally released and feel that identifying them would be one way of ensuring their sons' safety. The younger victim has told his mother: "I'm frightened they are going to get out and come and find me."

Last week, the parents unsuccessfully asked Justice Keith to lift the Section 39 order under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 which forbids the boys from being identified.

The stark brutality of the case, which left the victims bloodied beyond recognition and on the verge of death, is the worst this country has known since the murder of James Bulger.

In the Bulger murder case in 1993, the presiding judge ruled that the toddler's killers could be named because of the nature of the murder and the overwhelming public reaction to the case.

Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both 11 at the time of their convictions, were identified and police photographs were issued.