“FACE UP TO HIS CRIMES” — JAMES BULGER’S MOTHER MAKES FRESH BID FOR PUBLIC PAROLE HEARING

More than three decades after the murder of two-year-old James Bulger, his mother Denise Fergus is seeking to have the forthcoming parole hearing of Jon Venables held in public.

The request does not mean the hearing has already been approved for public access.

The Parole Board has received the application and invited representations before making a decision.

WHY DOES DENISE FERGUS WANT IT PUBLIC?

Denise and her husband, Stuart Fergus, argue that the case has generated enormous public interest and that greater transparency could help address misinformation surrounding Venables and the parole process.

They also argue that Venables should have to face up to his offending through a public hearing, particularly because of his subsequent convictions as an adult.

For Denise, the request is also deeply personal.

The application says that a public hearing could allow victims and their families to better understand how parole decisions are made and feel more involved in the process.

A CASE THAT HAS NEVER LEFT THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS

Venables and Robert Thompson were both 10 when they abducted and murdered James Bulger in Bootle in February 1993.

Venables was released on licence in 2001 but was later recalled to prison on two occasions. He has remained in custody since his second recall.

His previous parole review in 2023 resulted in the panel concluding that his release would not be safe for the protection of the public.

THE HEARING IS STILL NOT PUBLIC

This distinction is crucial.

The current development is an application for a public hearing, not confirmation that the hearing itself will be opened to the public.

The Parole Board’s normal position is that hearings are private, although public hearings can be considered where the interests of justice require it.

The deadline for representations on Denise and Stuart Fergus’ application was August 14, 2026.

AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS, DENISE FERGUS IS ASKING FOR ONE THING: TRANSPARENCY.

NOT A SECRET HEARING. NOT MORE UNCERTAINTY. BUT THE CHANCE FOR JUSTICE TO BE SEEN AS WELL AS DONE.

Whether the Parole Board agrees remains to be decided.