Investigation launched after James Bulger killer Jon Venables' new identity revealed online

A possible legal breach is being investigated by the Attorney General over claims the new identity of child killer Jon Venables was revealed on social media.

Venables, who was sent back to jail last month for possessing indecent images of children, is the subject of an anonymity order.

Identifying him or his killing partner Robert Thompson anywhere in the world breaches the order put in place before their release from prison in 2001.

A spokesman for the Attorney General’s office said: “We have received a complaint that the anonymity order has been breached and we are investigating.”

In 2013 two men who posted images they claimed to be of Venables and Thompson were given nine-month sentences, suspended for 15 months.

Breaking the injunction carries a punishment of up to two years in prison.

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Venables and Thompson were both 10 when they abducted, tortured and killed two-year old James Bulger in 1993.

Venables has been sent back to prison twice since his release in 2001.

He was sent back in 2010 and again in November for possession of child sex abuse images.

James Bulger’s mother, Denise Fergus, described Venables as a “vile psychopath” after hearing he was once again behind bars.

She added: “I predicted Venables would re-offend unless they kept a very tight rein on him and I pray that now, someone from the UK government will finally listen to me.”