JON Venables has used a bizarre excuse for abducting, torturing and murdering toddler James Bulger in 1993 when he was 10 as his “weirdo” traits have been revealed in prison.

Venables and Robert Thompson were released in 2001 after serving eight years for the murder, which happened 25 years ago.

Both of the killers were given new identities to protect them.

Sick killer Venables is back behind bars after admitting having more than 1,000 indecent images of children.

A prison source told the Daily Star: “Venables is regarded as a complete weirdo, even amongst other prisoners, who do not know his real identity.

James Bulger's mum and Jon Venables PA

Jon Venables is back behind bars again for having indecent images of children on his computer

He has claimed that he was possessed by a demon or the devil when he was a boy and that was the reason why he killed Jamie Bulger

“He has claimed that he was possessed by a demon or the devil when he was a boy and that was the reason why he killed Jamie Bulger.”

The source also said Venables is manipulative with prison staff over the issue of people knowing his identity.

CCTV of Venables GETTY

The CCTV shows Venales lead James away from his mum at the shopping centre

They said: “He said his memory of the killing is fragmented and he can only recall it as someone who witnessed the killing rather than an active participant.

“But it’s all an act. He is very manipulative, even amongst other prisoners who have no idea who he is.

“He trades on his notoriety to get whatever he needs.

James Bulger's mum GETTY

A petition has called for a public inquiry into the murder of James Bulger

“If he doesn’t like his cell or landing he says that he thinks his identity has been compromised and he is moved immediately.”

James was with his mother in Liverpool when the two boys abducted him, murdered him and left his body discarded on a railway line.

A petition calling for a public inquiry into the murder of James Bulger has more than 180,000 signatures and will be considered for a debate in Parliament.

The petition states there are a “number of issues that have been swept under the carpet” and also questions why experts had believed that Venables has been rehabilitated.

Venables and Thompson were the youngest convicted murderers in the UK for 250 years.

The judge at the time, Mr Justice Morland, described the act as an “unparalleled evil and barbarity”.