The mother of James Bulger, a toddler who was tragically killed, shared her greatest fears as Jon Venables, one of the murderers, is set for a parole hearing. Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10, abducted James from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993, where they brutally tortured and murdered him, causing national shock. Despite being released in 2001, Venables was later imprisoned again in 2010 and 2017 for possessing child abuse images. Now, he has been granted a new chance at parole following a previous denial in 2023.
Denise Fergus, the grieving mother, expressed her concerns to The Mirror about facing her son’s killer. Venables’ parole bid was approved on Monday, with the hearing expected to occur next month, potentially leading to his release by year-end if approved. Denise disclosed that she will attend the hearing, marking her first time at one of Venables’ parole proceedings. However, due to his protected identity, she won’t see his face but will hear his voice through a video link.
Denise voiced her apprehensions about the potential release, stating, “Until I’m in the room, I don’t know how I’ll react. I might struggle to contain my anger upon hearing him, given that this is my first attendance at such a hearing. I anticipate having to remain composed to avoid being expelled from the room.” Parole officers determined an oral hearing was fair for Venables after considering various submissions, including those from prison staff, counselors, psychiatrists, and impact statements from James’ family.
Reflecting on the distressing wait for the parole decision, Denise shared, “Despite preparing for the worst over the past 30 years, the news was still disheartening. It’s frustrating that another parole hearing has been granted after Venables failed to attend the last one in 2023. This prolongs the agony, and my primary focus now is on mentally preparing for the hearing and ensuring my son’s killer knows I’m there.” Thompson and Venables were both released after less than eight years in a reoffenders institute, with Thompson reportedly avoiding further offenses. Venables notably skipped his last parole hearing in December 2023.
A spokesperson from the Parole Board stated that Jon Venables’ case has been referred for review, leading to an upcoming oral hearing without a set date yet. The parole process revolves around assessing the risk a prisoner poses to the public upon release and determining if this risk is manageable. The panel meticulously reviews extensive evidence, including the original crime details, behavioral changes, and victim impact statements, while questioning witnesses during the hearing to ensure public safety remains paramount.