The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has issued a stark and emotional warning to the Parole Board as it considers whether to release one of her son's killers back into society.
A Mother's Grave Warning
Denise Fergus, 57, has spoken of her distress and anger upon learning that Jon Venables will have another chance at freedom this year. She fears that the now 43-year-old, who was just ten when he and Robert Thompson abducted, tortured and killed two-year-old James in 1993, poses a renewed threat.
In a powerful statement, Mrs Fergus warned the board that Venables is no longer the child he was at the time of the horrific crime. "He's bigger, he's stronger, he's got more wits about him," she said. "He's been educated to lie to his back teeth." Her profound concern is that if released from the 'protection' of prison, Venables may commit further offences simply to be sent back to jail.
A History of Failed Rehabilitation
Venables and Thompson were given indefinite sentences and detained at juvenile facilities before being moved to adult prisons. Venables was initially released on licence in 2001 but has been recalled to prison twice since.
He was sent back in 2010 and again in 2017 after being caught with indecent images of children on separate occasions. For the latter offence, he received a sentence of three years and four months in 2018. The Parole Board has repeatedly deemed him a danger, rejecting his bids for freedom in both 2020 and 2023.
A summary from the 2023 decision noted that Venables had "accepted that he had a long-term sexual interest in children/indecent images of children" and highlighted "future risks" of reoffending.
The Fight for Justice Continues
Denise Fergus is preparing to attend a secret location to view a video link of the upcoming parole hearing. She expressed her frustration that Venables is being given yet another opportunity despite his proven record of violating the terms of his release and posing a continued risk to the public, particularly children.
"Surely this person has proved he can not be given yet another chance yet he's been given one," she stated. Her poignant question to the authorities underscores her enduring fear: "What is he going to do to get back inside?"
The case continues to cast a long shadow over the UK's justice system, as a grieving mother advocates not only for her son's memory but for the safety of other children.
