Detective who led Bulger murder inquiry dies at 80

Albert Kirby, pictured at The Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle in 2001 during the filming of a documentary about James Bulger's murder

The senior detective who led the investigation into the 1993 murder of Merseyside toddler James Bulger has died at the age of 80.

Det Ch Supt Albert Kirby was at the helm of the Merseyside Police team which brought the two-year-old's killers, who were themselves only 10 years old, to justice.

James was snatched from a shopping centre in Bootle on 12 February 1993 by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who then tortured and killed the little boy before leaving his body on a railway line.

Mr Kirby, who died on Wednesday following a short illness, was described by his family as "a man of deep integrity and loyalty who will be mourned by many".

James Bulger was abducted, tortured and killed by Robert Thompson and Jon Venables

"In addition to his outstanding work as a detective over many years, Albert Kirby was much loved by his family, who are deeply saddened by his loss," the tribute said.

"To us he will be remembered as a kind and gentle husband, father and grandfather."

In a February 2013 interview, Mr Kirby told the BBC: "I will always be known as the man who dealt with the James Bulger inquiry.

"I think it affected us all. We knew quite quickly that James had been taken from his mother by two boys, but didn't realise how young they were.

"When we went to the murder scene, we found it difficult to equate what had happened... with the action of two young boys who were then 10 years of age."

CCTV captured Thompson and Venables leading James out of the shopping centre

Denise Fergus was paying for some shopping in a butcher's shop at The Strand Shopping Centre when her son was taken by Thompson and Venables.

The two boys led the toddler two-and-a-half miles to a railway line where they beat him to death.

His body was found two days later.

Thompson and Venables were found guilty after a three-week trial at Preston Crown Court in November 1993.

'Immense toll'

In an obituary published in The Times, Mr Kirby was described as "a tough but deeply empathetic man".

Mr Kirby was orphaned at the age of nine and his "own difficult upbringing had perhaps uniquely equipped him to lead a team tackling such a sensitive inquiry, in the glare of what quickly became a global media spotlight", the obituary continued.

He joined Liverpool City Police Cadets in 1962, becoming a constable in 1964 and rose through the ranks to become "a born detective", with a "sympathetic approach to victims, witnesses, suspects and their families".

The obituary said Mr Kirby "read a lesson at James's funeral at the request of his family, and remained a source of strength and support to them for many years after the trial and conviction of the young killers".

Mr Kirby worked long hours on the case as he was "as anxious to protect James's devastated family as he was to shield members of his own team from some of the more terrible elements of the murder - it took an immense toll".

He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1994 for the work he carried out on the case.

His family said he continued to follow developments in the case, from the European Court of Human Rights appeal to the killers' parole hearings.

After his retirement in 1998, Mr Kirby was a consultant to ITV News and worked with masters' students on criminal psychology courses.

Former colleague Det Sgt Phil Roberts said: "No other boss could have dealt with this case better. He was the right man for the job."

The Merseyside branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) said Mr Kirby would be "dearly missed and fondly remembered" and "our thoughts are with Albert's family at this sad and difficult time".

"Albert was a valued member of the Merseyside law enforcement community, known both nationally and internationally for his expertise, unwavering dedication, sharp intellect, and steadfast commitment to justice," they said.

"Over the course of his career, he handled some of the most complex cases, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and the wider community alike."

They said Mr Kirby's investigations brought closure to families in need, and he had served as a mentor to many aspiring detectives.

"His generosity and kindness extended beyond the workplace into retirement as a member of NARPO, touching the lives of all those who had the pleasure of knowing him," the statement concluded.

Mr Kirby is survived by his wife Susan, a son. Ian, and grandchildren, Tom and Holly.