Jon Venables, who as a 10-year-old murdered James Bulger with Robert Thompson in 1993, has had his latest bid for release rejected. The Parole Board ruled that he remains a danger to children and could re-offend if freed.
Venables and Thompson abducted James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, before torturing and killing him on a nearby railway line. They were released on licence in 2001 after eight years in custody. Venables was returned to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer, released again in August 2013, and then recalled in November 2017 for the same offence.
In its latest decision, the Parole Board said Venables had acknowledged a long-term sexual interest in children and indecent images, despite completing considerable prison work to address that risk. The panel expressed concern about ongoing sexual preoccupation and the risk of him viewing further abusive images or progressing to contact offences with children, describing both as presenting a risk of serious harm to others. It also doubted his ability to be open and honest with professionals, noting his history of drug use and unauthorised internet access in breach of his licence conditions.
Owing to a long-standing legal order protecting the identities of Venables and Thompson, the hearing was not held in public, and James Bulger's family were unable to attend. His mother, Denise Fergus, welcomed the decision, with a spokeswoman saying she had been waiting years for this outcome and that the prospect of his release was terrifying because they knew he would harm again. His father, Ralph Bulger, and uncle Jimmy Bulger said they were relieved but critical of the Ministry of Justice, accusing officials of being hostile before the hearing. They also raised concerns that a memorandum concerning the sexual element of James's murder had never been placed before the Parole Board, saying the further offending by Venables had had a traumatic impact on them and that the ministry seemed incapable of protecting the public.
The Ministry of Justice said it had nothing to add in response to the criticism. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said James Bulger's murder was a crime that shocked the nation and welcomed the Parole Board's decision, adding that public protection was the priority and that the government was reforming the parole system to introduce a stronger ministerial check on releasing the most dangerous offenders. Venables will be eligible for another parole review in roughly two years' time.
