Youth admits to lies over Bulger killer's location

It is believed that Wayne Dale, of the Isle of Man, became the first person to be convicted of spreading lies about the whereabouts of Robert Thompson, whose new identity is protected by law.

Dale, 19, sent a message on Facebook falsely claiming that Thompson was a B&Q employee on the island.

Thompson was convicted along with Jon Venables, both just 10 at the time, of murdering James in Liverpool in 1993.

The rumour about Thompson's location spread quickly and police began an investigation.

Officers traced the message to Dale, of Ballacannell Estate in Lonan.

He was charged with using provoking behaviour, which he admitted in court. He will be sentenced at the Isle of Man courts on April 23.

Detectives said Dale made the false accusations on two separate occasions on October 30, last year – once on Facebook, and another face to face.

He also admitting stealing 1,100 from his girlfriend's house when he was on bail for spreading the false rumour.