‘OVERWHELMING RELIEF’: JAMES BULGER’S MOTHER DENISE FERGUS REACTS AS KILLER JON VENABLES IS ORDERED TO REMAIN IN PRISON

More than 33 years after the murder of her little boy, Denise Fergus has received news that brings a measure of relief — but also reminds her that the painful fight is far from over.

Jon Venables, one of the two men convicted of murdering two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, will remain behind bars after his latest parole review concluded that he was not suitable for release.

Denise, James’s mother, described her overwhelming feeling as relief following the decision, saying the prospect of Venables being released had caused her enormous anxiety.

But for a mother who has spent decades living with the loss of her child, the decision brings only temporary comfort.

WHY THE PAROLE BOARD REFUSED RELEASE

Venables, now 44, was reviewed by a Parole Board panel following a private hearing.

According to the published summary, he told the panel at the beginning of the hearing that he accepted he needed to complete further offending-related work in prison and was not seeking release.

The panel considered evidence from prison and community probation officers, three psychologists and a psychiatrist.

Although Venables had completed considerable work during his time in custody, concerns remained about his risk and his ability to work openly and honestly with probation staff if released.

The panel also identified a need for further work to address his sexual interests.

It ultimately concluded that it was not satisfied he was suitable for release.

DENISE FERGUS: RELIEF, BUT ANOTHER PAINFUL WAIT

A spokesperson for Denise said her overwhelming feeling was relief and that she welcomed the decision requiring Venables to remain in prison.

The possibility of his release had caused her enormous anxiety. Her concerns, the spokesperson explained, extended beyond her own family to the safety of other children.

However, the decision does not end the family’s ordeal.

Venables could face another parole review in approximately two years, meaning Denise may once again have to prepare herself emotionally for a process that brings back the worst experience of her life.

Her family is also calling for changes to the parole system, including better protection and support for bereaved families who must repeatedly relive their trauma during release reviews.

THE MURDER THAT SHOCKED BRITAIN

On February 12, 1993, two-year-old James was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, by Venables and Robert Thompson, who were both just 10 years old at the time.

James was tortured and murdered. His body was later found on a railway line.

The case horrified Britain and became one of the country’s most notorious child murder cases.

Both boys were convicted and later released on licence in 2001, after serving time in custody.

Venables was subsequently returned to prison in 2010 after child sexual abuse images were found on his computer. He was released again in 2013, but recalled to prison in November 2017 after further offending involving such images.

He has remained in custody since that recall.

A MOTHER’S FIGHT IS NOT OVER

For Denise Fergus, the latest decision means she can breathe a little easier — at least for now.

But the prospect of another parole review means the family faces the possibility of reliving the same painful chapter once again.

More than three decades after losing James, Denise continues to fight for her son’s memory and for a parole process that takes the suffering of victims’ families seriously.

The latest ruling keeps Venables behind bars. For James’s family, however, the emotional battle continues.