James Bulger's family's fears as killer Jon Venables could be free by Christmas
James Bulger’s family are facing a “very worrying time” after hearing that his killer Jon Venables could be free by Christmas.
Venables, 40, has been granted a new parole hearing, and it has been claimed he has been working on his presentation to the Parole Board. James’ mum Denise Fergus, 55, and dad Ralph, 56, are said to have written statements opposing Venables’ release.
A family friend told the Mirror: “Denise and her family are aware of the parole hearing and have prepared for it. It is a very worrying time for Denise. She is focused on making sure she sees justice done for James.” James was two years old when he was snatched from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993.
The abductors – Venables and his friend Robert Thompson, who were both aged 10 – then murdered the toddler. James’ body was found on a railway line after he had been beaten to death. Venables and Thompson were convicted of murder and locked up, but were released on licence in 2001 after serving eight years.
Jon Venables has been granted a new parole hearing (PA)They were given new identities and lifelong anonymity. Venables has twice been recalled to jail for possessing indecent images of children while out on licence – firstly in 2010 and then again in 2017. Venables, who was sentenced to 40 months in prison in 2018 for having over 1,000 indecent images of children, was last refused parole in 2020.
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The Ministry of Justice said: “Dangerous prisoners undergo a strict assessment by the Parole Board before any release. We’re further strengthening the system so the most dangerous offenders are kept behind bars.”
James Bulger was just two years old when he was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle, Liverpool, on 12 February 1993. His body was found on a railway line two days later. His killers were Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 10.
The pair were convicted of murder 29 years ago and it was ordered that they be detained indefinitely. But they were released aged 18 in 2001 and provided with new identities. Thompson, 39, has not reoffended. Venables was sent back to jail in 2010 and 2017 after being caught with child sex abuse images on his computer. He was refused parole in 2020 but has now made a new bid for freedom.
In March this year, the Mirror exclusively reported how James' mum Denise urged parole bosses to knock back his killer’s bid for freedom, saying: “He’ll kill a child again. Don’t let that happen to another family.” Campaigning Denise Fergus said she was initially deflated when informed a crunch parole hearing of Jon Venables was being planned.
And in July, it was reported Venables could face life in jail due to a new law. Under The Victims And Prisoners Bill, yet to get royal assent, Venables could be kept behind bars indefinitely, as his fate would lie with the Secretary of State and not a Parole Board.
It changes the rules around a number of aspects of the criminal justice system - but crucially affects the releases of criminals who have committed certain crimes. Under section 32ZAB, a number of offenders are referred to the Secretary of State for release, this includes murderers.
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