Jon Venables’ parole bid hits delay amid fears of Christmas release
The parole hearing for Jon Venables, one of the killers of toddler James Bulger, has been pushed back two weeks. The delay has alarmed the public and Bulger’s family, sparking fears Venables could be sprung quietly right before Christmas.
Horrific 1993 murder still haunts UK
James Bulger was just two years old when Venables and his then-10-year-old partner Robert Thompson abducted, tortured, and murdered him in Merseyside’s Bootle shopping centre. The brutal crime shocked the nation and left a scar on the community.
Private hearing, public outrage
Now 41, Venables was granted a private parole hearing to protect him from “disproportionate emotional stress.” Yet, shockingly, he failed to show up. The Parole Board has delayed its decision until mid-December, raising serious worries that Venables could be released during the parliamentary recess, a quiet time ripe for sneaky moves.
A source close to James Bulger’s family said, “James’ family are terrified. It is unusual to delay this long. They fear Venables might be quietly released when Parliament is not sitting before Christmas.”
Calls to keep Venables behind bars
Pressure is mounting on the Parole Board to reject Venables’ bid. Former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett insists offenders must face hearings in person when their rehabilitation is in doubt. Tory ex-Justice Secretaries, including Sir Robert Buckland, also urge for Venables to stay locked up.
Denise Fergus, James Bulger’s mother, who has endured “three decades of hell,” has pleaded with authorities to refuse parole. She blasted the private hearing and anonymity protections as unfair advantages. “The public’s safety must come first,” she warned.
Fergus remains hopeful, saying, “I trust the Parole Board will see what this man is capable of and the risk he poses to society.”
Venables’ troubled past behind bars
- Venables and Thompson were convicted in November 1993 for the horrific murder after leaving James’ mutilated body by a liverpool/" title="Liverpool" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Liverpool railway line.
- Venables was released on license in 2001 but recalled twice for possessing indecent images of children—in 2010 and 2017.
- His latest parole request was denied in September 2020.
If finally freed, Venables would live under lifelong anonymity and a new identity — shielding his whereabouts from the public.
