Jon Venables' parole hearing will be told he's still a danger to children

14 November 2023 , 22:10

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Jon Venables (Image: PA)

A report branding Jon Venables a high risk to children is being considered by parole officials as he appears before them this week.

Venables, 41, was freed in 2001 from a life sentence for killing James Bulger, two, but was recalled to jail in 2010 and 2017 after being found with child abuse imagery. A two-day private parole board hearing began on Tuesday, the third Venables has had since his most recent return to prison.

James’ parents Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger have given statements but are barred from the hearing, as are the press and public. In February 2018, Venables admitted possessing videos of toddlers being abused and a “paedophile manual”.

James Bulger (Press Association)

Denise Fergus (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

He was given 40 months’ jail by Justice Edis, who said a pre-sentence report branding him a “high risk of serious harm” to children was compiled by an expert who had significant dealings with the killer. The judge said: “I have read a pre-sentence report, which contains information which... will cause the parole board to examine the case when considering release with particular care.”

Justice Edis said Venables had been looking at child abuse images for months while under strict licence conditions before he was caught. Venables is unlikely to seek release from jail this week and is expected to request a move to an open prison, ahead of release in two years’ time. The parole board’s decision is due later this month.

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James’ mother Denise Fergus told the Mirror this week how she had pleaded with the parole board to “do the right thing” and keep her son’s killer in jail.

Tom Pettifor