19 January 2023 , 12:38
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James Bulger’s mother has shared that she is ‘in touching distance’ of bringing one of her son’s killers to justice.
Denise Fergus says Justice Secretary Dominic Raab promised her his Reform Bill would keep Jon Venables, who has reoffended twice, in jail.
Denise spoke with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning on Thursday morning, 30 years on from her son’s horrific abduction and murder in Merseyside.
Denise explained why she is still fighting to keep one of her son’s killers behind bars, but does hold fresh hope for justice.
Venables has twice been returned to jail for possessing images of child sex abuse and is expected to receive a parole hearing this year.
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Denise spoke with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning (ITV)Denise said: “I don’t trust him. If he gets out I know for a fact we’ll end up with another case like James’s.
“Through his own stupidity, he realised a photo of himself on social media, so he’s just going to be fearing his life, so I think what is he going to do again to get back into that prison where he feels safe again.”
Venables and Thompson were convicted of murder in November 1993, after the two boys had snatched James from a shopping centre in Bootle, an abduction captured on CCTV.
A video still of James Bulger, aged 2 years old, being led away by his two killer (PA)The pair were detained indefinitely, but released aged 18 in 2001 and given new identities after spending just eight years in young offender institutions.
Thompson, 39, has not reoffended, but Venables was sent back to jail in 2010 and 2017.
Denise went on to say she does not think Venables could be rehabilitated, adding: “He was given that chance twice since James was taken from me and he blew them chances.
Jon Venables' mugshot, when he was aged ten (PA)“I think now that he should remain in prison. In the beginning I did say, if he’s done an adult prison sentence then I wouldn't have taken it as far as I have done.
“I would’ve been living a normal life now, but because they weren’t properly punished, I did say that one of them or both of them would go on to reoffend. And that’s exactly what he’s done.”
She then added: “But I believe that I am in touching distance now of getting justice for one of my son’s killers.
Little James Bulger, a year before his shocking murder“I don’t ever want him to see the light of day again, I don’t think he deserves to see the light of day again.”
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Venables was turned down for parole in 2020 after serving his minimum 40 months’ sentence, but has made a new bid for freedom.
Denise admitted she feels more positive in her discussions with Dominic Raab, explaining: “I think he’s going to bring in new laws, and I’m sure he will carry it through. I trust him.
“When I was speaking to Dominic, he said something and I just froze in the moment… I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was a positive thing.”