DEVIL DAD James Bulger killer becomes a father as his lover has a

CHILD killer Robert Thompson, who brutally murdered toddler James Bulger, has become a dad himself.

The 23-year-old and his girlfriend had a baby in the last 12 months. Thompson now lives secretly in the north of England using a pseudonym and the tot's mother has no idea of his evil past.

They split before the baby was born after a series of rows, but Thompson regularly visits the child at the mother's home.

A source close to the case said: "The child is angelic - a real beauty. Thompson is thrilled to have become a father and is determined to be a good dad.

"But it is a bit chilling to think of him becoming a father after what he did. He must still be considered a risk tochildren, despite showing remorse for killing little James. Social Services have been keeping a close eye on things."

Thompson, who with friend Jon Venables abducted and killed two- year-old James in 1993, met the girl in the town where he lives under a new identity. He has also met her parents and they gave him their seal of approval. Although the pregnancy was not planned, both were overjoyed.

Thompson, who works in an office and earns a reasonable wage, has vowed to provide for the baby. The news comes 12 years after CCTV captured James being led away at a shopping centre in Liverpool.

They then tortured the toddler as he screamed for his mum - before beating him to death with an iron bar. The pair, both 10 at the time, then poured paint on his body and placed it on a railway line. James was run over by a train, which cut his body in half. The pair were sentenced to be held at Her Majesty's Pleasure and were released in 2001.

Psychologist Elaine Ashmore, who has worked with jailed killers, said Thompson - one of seven children raised by an alcoholic mother - would face huge challenges as a dad. She added: "Adults learn their parenting skills from their own experi-ences - and his childhood was blighted."

The Irish Sunday Mirror can reveal that Thompson has been in trouble with police for alleged shoplifting. He was released when his personal protection officer intervened. He is also reported to have taken heroin.

Denise Fergus, right, the mother of James Bulger, has claimed she tracked Thompson down but said she could not confront her child's killer.

She wrote: "I knew it was him by his facial features - and, most of all, by his evil eyes. I felt completely numb."

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