EXCLUSIVE Career criminal, 44, who found the body of murdered toddler James Bulger on railway line in 1993 dies in police custody
- James Riley, 44, was found dead in his police cell after suffering years of trauma
- Riley was 14 when he discovered the body of James Bulger in February 1993
A career criminal who died in police custody suffered years of trauma after finding the body of murdered toddler James Bulger.
James Riley, 44, was found on his police cell floor on March 15, prompting an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Mr Riley, nicknamed Osty, discovered James’s body in 1993 on a railway line in Liverpool, Merseyside, when he was 14 years old.
James, then two, was murdered by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged ten, in a brutal killing that shocked the nation.
Friends and family say the discovery left him struggling to cope with drug addiction – and led to a life of crime, racking up more than 40 convictions.
James Riley, 44, (pictured) became addicted to drugs and led a life of a crime after discovering murdered toddler James Bulger’s body on a Liverpool railway line in February 1993
The body of murdered James Bulger (pictured) was discovered by 14-year-old James Riley and his brother Terence on a railway line in Liverpool
Two years ago, he was found dumped on the street wearing just his underwear and holding a knife after running up debts with gangsters in Scotland.
In 2010, he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for theft – and blamed the grim find of the toddler’s body for how his life had panned out.
Mr Riley’s lawyer Brendan Carville, defending, told a court: ‘The horror of what he found on that occasion with his brother and two friends is something he has lived with ever since. Rather than taking advantage of counselling and the like he turned to alcohol and drugs.’
In 2003 Mr Riley’s grandmother said of the find by him and his brother Terence: ‘Neither has spoken of it. They bottled it up. We tried to get the boys to talk about it, but they used to become hysterical, screaming they didn’t want to think about it.
‘After that day James went off the rails and Terence’s personality changed totally. We hardly see him these days, but we know it was finding James’ body that changed him.
‘Every night I pray for little James, but I also pray for my grandsons.’
Mr Riley’s friend Darren Gee, tweeted: ‘He was never the same after finding young James on the rail track. RIP Osty.’
The IOPC said Riley was detained after being approached by police officers at 10pm on March 14.
James, Bulger then two, was murdered by Jon Venables (left) and Robert Thompson (right), both aged ten, in Liverpool in February 1993
At 5pm the following day, staff found him on the floor of his cell and needing help.
Paramedics were called to the station and he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The police watchdog sent investigators to the custody suite to begin reviewing evidence by obtaining CCTV and body-worn video footage.
The IOPC has also been in touch with Merseyside Police about receiving initial accounts from the officers involved.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: ‘This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly died and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
‘Merseyside Police referred this matter to us, and as he was in the custody of police at the time he became unwell, it is important there is a thorough and independent investigation.
‘We will examine all relevant matters including the interaction officers had with the man on the street, and what happened after he arrived at the custody suite. We have made contact with his family to explain our role and will update them as our enquiries progress.’
DailyMail
