Parole Hearing Underway For One Of James Bulgers Murderers

A parole hearing for Jon Venables, one of two killers convicted of the 1993 murder of two-year-old James Bulger, began today behind closed doors.

James’ mother, Denise Fergus, has issued a plea to the parole board to deny Venables his freedom.

Speaking with The Mirror, she said: "Tuesday is one of the biggest days ever in our fight for justice for James. It feels like D-Day.

“I’m anxious and it’s been hard not to think of much else because the importance of this week is so great. Our fate is in the hands of parole board bosses, so I beg them to make the right decision for everyone and keep my son’s killer behind bars.”

Venables and Robert Thompson, both 10-years-old at the time, brutally tortured and murdered James Bulger after abducting him from a shopping centre in Merseyside, England on 12^th February, 1993.

They were both sentenced to indefinite detention.

Venables was released in July 2001, but was later recalled to prison in February 2010 after he was found in possession of indecent images of children.

He was released again in August 2013, but was returned to prison in November 2017 for the same offence.

Venables’ was last reviewed for parole in September 2020.

Denise Fergus made an open plea to the parole board in her interview with The Mirror.

"Look into my eyes and see what I’ve had to deal with for 30 years – three decades of hell. Keep people safe from this monster, because that is what he is, and don’t give him what he wants,” she said.

“If he goes on to commit more crimes after you release him, it will be on your shoulders. So, I’m just asking you to do the right thing,” Ms Fergus added.

The parole hearing is taking place behind closed doors because of a legal order that bans the public identification of Venables.

The family of James Bulger are not permitted to attend the hearing although victim impact statements will be read.

The hearing is expected to run today and Wednesday, with a decision due in two weeks.