Mother of James Bulger is ‘shellshocked’ as her son’s killer Jon Venables could be freed by Christmas
- Denise Fergus wasn’t informed of parole hearing before it appeared in the media
James Bulger’s mother was said to be ‘shellshocked’ last night after it emerged that one of her son’s killers could be freed by Christmas.
Jon Venables, 40, was aged ten when he and Robert Thompson, now 39, snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.
The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his body by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool.
Both were jailed for life but released with new identities under a life-long licence in June 2001. Thompson has never reoffended but Venables was caught with images of child sex abuse on his computer and twice recalled to prison, in 2010 and 2017.
He was jailed for 40 months but has now served double after being rejected for release at the end of his sentence.
Yesterday it emerged that a two-day hearing will be held on November 14 to determine whether he can be freed again.
James Bulger’s mother was said to be ‘shellshocked’ last night after it emerged that one of her son’s killers could be freed by Christmas. Pictured: James Bulger
Jon Venables , 40, was aged ten when he and Robert Thompson , now 39, snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993. The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his body by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool. Pictured: Jon Vernables in 1993
Despite requests for the hearing to be held in public, it will take place behind closed doors, with a three-person parole panel taking evidence in private from prison officers, probation officers and psychiatrists.
Victim impact statements from James’s mother Denise Fergus, 54, and father Ralph Bulger, 55, who have both implored the Parole Board to reject Venables’s bid to be released, will also be read.
Typically, parole decisions are made within 14 days, meaning Venables could be free in time for Christmas.
Yesterday a source told the Mail that Mrs Fergus had not been informed of the parole hearing date before it appeared in the media. ‘She’s shellshocked,’ they said.
Previously she told the Parole Board: ‘If you let him free, you could be ruining the lives of another family like ours. When you look at Venables’s file just remember what he is capable of. He killed my son James, has reoffended time and time again and I have no doubt he would kill another child if he is released.’
Under current rules, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has the power to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its decision if it decides to release Venables. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said the minister was giving the case his ‘close personal attention’.
Tougher measures currently going through Parliament, as part of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, would give ministers the power to veto release decisions for the most serious or repeat offenders.
The Bill follows widespread concern about parole panels being too soft after scandals over black cab rapist John Worboys and double child killer Colin Pitchfork.
It will also reform the role of the chairman of the Parole Board to ensure they focus on strategic leadership and have no influence over individual parole decisions.
A source told the Mail that James’s mother Denise Fergus, 54, had not been informed of the parole hearing date before it appeared in the media. ‘She’s shellshocked,’ they said. Pictured above is James Bulger
Before the decision for the parole hearing to be heard in private was announced, Mr Bulger told The Sun: ‘If the Justice Secretary is serious on reform then he must allow me to be present at Venables’s parole hearing.
‘I want Venables to hear why I believe he should have his parole denied. For too long, victims and families have been ignored while authorities put the so-called rights of dangerous criminals first.’
The Parole Board said its decisions ‘are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community’.
A spokesman added: ‘A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
‘Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.’
Mr Chalk told last night’s Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge: ‘This is an appalling case. It’s one that is seared on the memory of a nation and frankly on all of us.
‘There is a process which means I can make presentations based upon the information that comes to me. I have to act properly.
‘But I will do everything I properly can to ensure that justice is done in a way that British people would understand.’
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