The parents of murdered toddler James Bulger have reportedly been denied the right to attend the parole hearing of one of his killers, Jon Venables. Denise Fergus, 55, and Ralph Bulger, 57, are said to be furious that Venables will be permitted to speak at the hearing next Tuesday and Wednesday, while they will not be present.
This means the couple cannot read out statements explaining why they believe Venables, who with Robert Thompson became the youngest convicted murderers of the 20th century, should remain behind bars. In their separate impact statements, Denise and Ralph will outline fears that Venables—twice recalled to prison over child sex abuse images—will reoffend if freed.
It is understood that parole chiefs will speak to the couple about potential living arrangements for the murderer if he is released. However, Ralph and Denise argue that it is unfair that Venables, now 40, knows who they are and where they live, while they would know nothing about him if he were released.
A source told The Sun: “It is deeply unfair and there is a sense of unease about what has happened so far. Denise will say she is certain that Venables will re-offend and she fears another family suffering like hers has done. If he is released, he would know all about them but they would know nothing about him. He even knows where James’ grave is, for heaven’s sake.”
Venables and Thompson were both ten when they killed two-year-old James in Merseyside in February 1993. They received lifelong anonymity upon release in 2001, but Venables was jailed again in 2010 and 2018. He was denied parole in 2020, and his latest hearing will be held in private to spare him extra “stress”. The Parole Board told the Mirror: “The hearing will be held privately, similar to the vast majority of parole hearings.”
