It has come to my attention that the number people visiting my website has rocketed in recent days. In the last 48 hours, my site has had over 50,000 hits. 9000 of those were people searching for ‘David Calvert’.
Naturally I was curious to find out why and on further investigation, I discovered to my horror that it was connected with the recent news of Jon Venables (who was convicted of murdering Jamie Bulger) being put back into custody after breaching the conditions of his release from prison. It seems that an untrue rumour started to circulate on the web that Venables had previously changed his name to… David Calvert. Stories also circulated that a Mr David Calvert of Fleetwood, near Blackpool was Jon Venables – a story that is completely untrue.
Despite Venables being in prision, Mr Calvert of Fleetwood (who is a free man) has been wrongly victimsed. Because of this rumour, thousands of people have been Googling ‘David Calvert’ and as a result, they have come across me: David Calvert – a photographer who specialises in family and child portraits. I would also point out that Venables is aged 27 and I am aged 46.
I would like to make it very clear that I am in no way related or connected to Mr David Calvert of Fleetwood, nor am I in any way connected with the Jamie Bulger case. Any accusations stating the contrary will be put into the hands of my solicitor and/or the police.
by David
13 comments
Cristina Harrison - Hi David, Well I am speechless (and let’s face it that doesn’t happen very often!) I hope that this all blows over for you soon and the stress levels dissipate. We all know you’re great. Cristina
Peter Prior - I want to “third” Lisa.
David is a lovely,decent person with a great talent.
Its not acceptable that he has in anyway been sucked into this and i hope that steps are taken to get this sorted out.
Best wishes to you David.
Peter Prior LMPA
Maria Murray - I will second Lisa, David has been a friend for many years, and is fantastic photographer, a decent man, and has nothing to do with this mess. I hope people realize how much distress can be caused by making comments without knowing the full facts. Also David is almost 20 years older than the man in question. David, I hope it all gets sorted! take care, Maria x
Lisa Visser - Just want to let everyone reading this know that David Calvert is one of the best children’s Photographers I know in the UK . A shining example of what a professional photographer should be. David, so sorry your name has got mixed up in this story.
Take care
Lisa Visser FMPA ABIPP
Tracey - David, heard the interview on radio 2 with Jeremy Vine today. Best wishes for you and your family…. Great Pics too. Hopefully you will get some orders from people visiting your website. x
Matt Hobby - David – I’ve just heard you talking to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 (and previous to you, the other David Calvert, from Fleetwood). What a nightmare situation you find yourself in, purely down to your name, and some totally false, malicious rumours made up about the Fleetwood Mr. Calvert.
There are some truly stupid people that we have the misfortune to share our planet with.
Sadly for you, I don’t think the Government could release the correct name that John Venables is now using – if they did, then any other (innocent) man in the country with a name approximately close to it would then be persecuted (or worse).
The point that has to be stressed again & again is that John Venables (or whatever he’s called these days) is IN PRISON. Which is where he belongs…..
paulette - I have just heard you on the Jeremy Vine show – my husband is a professional photographer too so I have a lot of empathy for your situation! sorry you’ve had this experience, hope the fuss dies down soon and you can get on doing what you do. Wishing you all the best for your business, and hoping that if people end up on your site out of curiosity, they take a look at your pics and make a booking!
Marie McMahon - Your work is outstanding, you have made those kids look almost as lovely as mine.
Take care x
Tracie Britton - Just listening to the radio. Best wishes…Much support! Great Photography!
Raj Singh - Sorry to hear that you have been unfairly implicated, but well done on an impressive portfolio.
Kevin Wilson - Dear David,
I feel so sad to hear that you have been caught up in relation to the awful business surrounding poor little Jamie Bulger. Your name is being brought into disrepute with this unfortunate incorrect naming.
I have known you for many years, throughout that time your work ethic and professionalism has been beyond reproach. I understand that the offending comments have been deleted.
I hope you consider legal action on any person or host company that tries to associate you in any way.
Kevin Wilson FMPA FBIPP FRPS FIPPA PPA Mcr
Chairman Of Qualifications Master Photographers Association
yer mum - It’s very unfortunate that you have been wrongly linked to this horrible murder case when of course you are NOTHING to do with it.
Denis - Dear sir
Like several thousand other people I searched the name David Calvert and I ended up at your name just a note to say I feel for your predicament and hopefully the people who are passing on the text will stop it as innocent people are being sucked in to this vortex and I wish you and your family all the best through this difficult times.
Kind Regards