Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, has expressed her shock and deep concern after learning that her son's killer, Jon Venables, has been granted a parole hearing. Venables, now in his 40s, was convicted alongside Robert Thompson for the murder of two-year-old James in 1993. He was released on licence in 2001 but returned to prison in 2017 for possessing child abuse images.
In a statement issued through the James Bulger Memorial Trust, Fergus said she remains 'deeply concerned' about the potential release of Venables, whom she considers 'one of the biggest dangers to our country'. She firmly believes he will reoffend if freed, calling the prospect 'undeniably alarming'.
Venables served eight years for James's murder and was given lifelong anonymity upon release. However, he was jailed again in 2010 for possessing child abuse images, then released in 2013 with a new identity. In 2017, he was sentenced to 40 months after more such images were found on his computer. A previous parole application was rejected in 2020.
The Parole Board confirmed that an oral hearing is scheduled for 14 and 15 November, with a decision expected within 14 days. A spokesman emphasised that public protection is the board's top priority, and members will review extensive reports and hear evidence from probation officers, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
Fergus thanked supporters for their unwavering backing during this difficult time. James was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993, then tortured and killed by Venables and Thompson, both aged 10 at the time.
