Jon Venables, the killer of two-year-old James Bulger, has launched a legal challenge to prevent the murdered boy's parents from attending his upcoming parole hearing. Venables, now 43, was denied parole in 2023 after being deemed a severe threat to children. The hearing, originally expected to occur in 2025, has been delayed until at least September 2026, prolonging the ordeal for James' parents, Ralph and Denise Bulger.
Venables Challenges Parole Board Decision
Venables, who abducted, tortured, and murdered James Bulger in 1993, has told officials he will refuse to attend the hearing if Ralph, 59, and Denise, 57, are present. He claims facing the family would harm his mental health. The Parole Board had previously granted the Bulgers the right to attend and deliver victim impact statements, but Venables is challenging that decision. A source told The Sun: "This has caused fresh anguish to James’ family on top of everything they have been through. And once again James’ family have been left questioning who is actually the victim – them or the monster who tortured and killed James."
History of Parole Proceedings
Venables was originally sentenced to life in 1993 for the murder of James Bulger. He was released on parole in 2001 but was returned to prison in 2010 for possessing child pornography and again in 2017 for similar offences. At his November 2023 parole hearing, Venables did not appear in person, claiming it would harm his mental health. The hearing proceeded behind closed doors, and on December 13, 2023, the Parole Board ruled he remained a severe threat to children and was not fit for release. He has a lifetime anonymity order and would appear behind a screen at any future hearing.
Impact on James Bulger's Parents
Ralph and Denise Bulger have been preparing for the hearing since August 2025. The delay has caused them significant emotional distress. The source added: "It seems completely absurd to be giving the family hope by allowing them access to the parole hearing and then considering reneging on that, just because Venables is too much of a coward to front up to them. It is agony for them and it has been going on for more than a year. It is an appalling situation but they will not give up fighting." A Parole Board spokesman declined to comment.
