James Bulger's brother will never forgive killer who should 'die in prison'

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James Bulger
James Bulger's brother will never forgive killer who should 'die in prison'

James Bulger's brother says killer Jon Venables must die in prison and says he will never forgive him for his crimes.

Today marks 30 years since toddler James was killed by Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 at the time, after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

The pair were jailed for life but released on licence with new identities in 2001. Venables, 40, was sent back to prison in 2010 and 2017, the latter for possessing indecent images of children, and was turned down for parole in 2020.

Venables is due to go back before a parole board to try and campaign for his release.

Michael Fergus was born eight months after his brother's murder, and though he never got to meet him, he has grown up with the effects of the tragedy.

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James Bulger's brother will never forgive killer who should 'die in prison'Jon Venables has been convicted on child porn charges since the murder (PA)

Mr Fergus told the Sunday Express: "My brother's killers will never be forgiven.

"They took away my older brother who I never got to meet. I would have loved to have looked up to him, asked him questions, talked to him about exams, cars, going to bars, normal stuff.

"But because of those two I never got the chance. They robbed me of my childhood, in a nutshell."

He added that "justice for James" meant "keeping Venables behind bars".

It comes as deputy prime minister justice secretary Dominic Raab told James Bulger's dad that twisted child killer Venables, now aged 39, doesn't ever deserve to be freed.

James Bulger's brother will never forgive killer who should 'die in prison'James Bulger was murdered 30 years ago (PA)

Landscape gardener Mr Fergus was born eight months after his brother's death.

Before starting school his surname was changed to Fergus to protect him from questions from his peers.

He added: “For me personally, getting justice for James and keeping Venables behind bars would be more about giving us and particularly my mum peace of mind.

“For that to happen 30 years since losing James would be so fitting. The day that happens my mum will have a smile on her face that will never stop.

"I try not to give his killers any time in my thoughts, but I still hate them for what they did. It’s disgusting the way they have been treated. They’ve basically been given everything they’ve ever asked for – new identities, homes, protection, special treatment.

Out of touch Rishi Sunak doesn't regularly read papers or online news sitesOut of touch Rishi Sunak doesn't regularly read papers or online news sites
James Bulger's brother will never forgive killer who should 'die in prison'Michael Fergus insisted he will never forgive Venables and accomplice Robert Thompson (Andy Stenning/Sunday Express)

“What for? They murdered a child. You’re telling me these days you get rewarded for hurting someone? I just don’t think that’s right at all.

“But what’s angered me more is seeing my mum and the way she is. Obviously she gets a lot angrier than I do.”

The killing sent shockwaves around the world, as Venables and Thompson became the youngest convicted murders in modern British history.

Last year mum Denise Fergus met with Mr Raab at his offices in Parliament, where he laid out his plans for an overhaul of the parole system.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The Deputy Prime Minister will do everything in his power to keep dangerous offenders behind bars and has set out plans to overhaul the parole process and put victims at the heart of the process."

Sam Elliott-Gibbs

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