JON VENABLES FACES NEW PAROLE HEARING — JAMES BULGER’S FAMILY SEEKS PUBLIC HEARING

Jon Venables is facing another parole hearing more than three decades after two-year-old James Bulger was abducted and killed in Merseyside.

Now, James Bulger’s family is seeking greater transparency over the process, with applications submitted to have Venables’ upcoming parole hearing held in public.

The Parole Board confirmed in August 2026 that it had received applications from James’ mother Denise Fergus and her husband Stuart Fergus, as well as from legal representatives for James’ father Ralph Bulger and brother Jimmy Bulger.

Importantly, the applications do not mean the hearing has been approved for public viewing. The Parole Board says decisions on such applications are made separately by its chair.

ANOTHER PAROLE HEARING

Venables, now 43, is due to have another oral parole hearing following his previous unsuccessful bid for release.

In December 2023, the Parole Board refused his application for release, concluding that it was not satisfied that releasing him would be safe for the protection of the public because of outstanding risk.

The decision followed a hearing held behind closed doors in November 2023.

Venables had previously been released on licence in 2001 after serving his sentence for the 1993 killing of James.

He was later recalled to prison in 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer and was recalled again in 2017 after another conviction relating to such material.

JAMES BULGER’S FAMILY WANTS TRANSPARENCY

The August 2026 Parole Board publication sets out the reasons given by Denise and Stuart Fergus for seeking a public hearing.

They argued that the case has significant public interest and that greater transparency could help people understand how parole decisions are made.

They also said the family has been exposed to extensive discussion and misinformation on social media, which they say has had a retraumatising effect.

The application argues that a public hearing could allow victims and the wider public to better understand how evidence, risk and release plans are considered.

James’ father Ralph Bulger and brother Jimmy also submitted a separate application through their legal representative.

Their application points to the unusual circumstances of the case, including the original crime, Venables’ subsequent offending, his previous recalls to custody and the complex issues surrounding his anonymity and risk management.

WHY THE HEARING MAY NOT BE COMPLETELY PUBLIC

The case presents a major legal complication.

Venables has lifelong anonymity protections, meaning his identity and whereabouts are protected.

Previous attempts to make his parole proceedings public have faced concerns over anonymity and sensitive information.

In 2023, the Parole Board rejected an application for that hearing to be public. The hearing was held privately, although representatives connected to James’ family sought greater involvement in the process.

The latest applications suggest that any future public hearing could potentially require safeguards, including reporting restrictions or private sessions for sensitive evidence.

The Parole Board has said the normal position is for parole hearings to remain private, although public hearings can be permitted where it is considered to be in the interests of justice.

JAMES BULGER’S MURDER

James was just two years old when he was abducted from the New Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

Venables and Robert Thompson were both 10 years old when they were convicted of his murder later that year.

The case became one of the most closely followed child murder cases in British history.

The two boys were detained during Her Majesty’s pleasure and were eventually released on licence in 2001 under new identities.

Venables subsequently returned to prison following his later convictions.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The immediate issue is whether the Parole Board will allow the upcoming hearing to be held publicly.

The Board’s official records currently list the Jon Venables public-hearing request among pending applications.

That means no final decision on public access should be assumed at this stage.

Separately, Venables’ parole case itself will be considered at an oral hearing. ITV reported in January 2026 that another parole hearing was being prepared, more than two years after his previous unsuccessful bid.

For James Bulger’s family, the latest development brings the case back into the public spotlight — more than 33 years after the little boy was taken from his family.

The family is now waiting to learn whether the process surrounding Venables’ possible release will be opened to public scrutiny or remain behind closed doors.