JON VENABLES COULD BE FREED AGAIN — JAMES BULGER’S FAMILY FIGHTS FOR A VOICE AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS

The man convicted over the killing of two-year-old James Bulger is facing another parole process, while James’ family is pushing for greater transparency over the decision that could determine Venables’ future.

More than three decades after the killing of two-year-old James Bulger, the case involving Jon Venables has returned to the spotlight.

Venables, now 43, is facing another parole process after the Parole Board agreed that his case should be considered at an oral hearing.

But this time, James’ family is pushing for something different: a public hearing.

A CASE THAT SHOCKED BRITAIN

In February 1993, 10-year-old Jon Venables and Robert Thompson took James Bulger from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

The two boys were later convicted of James’ murder.

The case shocked Britain and has remained one of the country’s most notorious child-killing cases.

Venables was eventually released on licence in 2001.

However, his freedom did not last.

He was recalled to prison in 2010 after being convicted of possessing indecent images of children. He was released again in 2013, before being recalled to custody in 2017 for another offence involving indecent images.

HIS LATEST BID FOR FREEDOM

In 2023, the Parole Board rejected an earlier application, concluding that Venables still posed a danger to children and could potentially offend again.

In January 2026, it was announced that he would face another oral parole hearing.

The hearing has become a source of renewed anguish for James’ mother, Denise Fergus, who has repeatedly had to revisit the circumstances surrounding her son’s death whenever Venables seeks release.

James’ family had previously been granted permission to attend the hearing and provide victim impact statements.

NOW THE FAMILY WANTS THE HEARING OPENED

In August 2026, the Parole Board confirmed that it had received applications seeking to make Venables’ hearing public.

One application came from Denise and Stuart Fergus.

They argued that the case is of significant public interest and that a public hearing could improve understanding of how parole decisions are made.

The application also argued that greater transparency could help address misinformation surrounding the case and the parole process.

James’ father, Ralph Bulger, and other family representatives have also sought a public hearing.

Their application describes the case as exceptional, pointing to the original child murder, Venables’ later offending, previous recalls to custody and the complex issues surrounding his anonymity and release arrangements.

A FAMILY STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS

For James’ family, the parole process is about far more than whether Venables remains behind bars.

It means repeatedly confronting the loss of a child who was just two years old.

The family has argued that greater public scrutiny could help demonstrate that decisions about Venables’ future are being made using complete and reliable evidence.

The Parole Board has not yet ruled on the applications for a public hearing.

THE QUESTION THAT HAS NEVER GONE AWAY

More than 30 years have passed since James Bulger was taken from his mother.

Venables has since been released, recalled to prison, released again and returned to custody.

Now, another parole process has brought the case back into the public eye.

For James’ family, however, the memories have never disappeared.

And as the latest legal process unfolds, one question remains at the center of the controversy:

Should the public be allowed to see how the decision about Jon Venables’ future is made?

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