JON VENABLES FACES NEW PAROLE REVIEW AS JAMES BULGER’S FAMILY PUSHES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

More than three decades after the murder of two-year-old James Bulger, the case of Jon Venables is once again under scrutiny as he faces another parole review — while James’s family is seeking greater transparency over the process.

Venables and Robert Thompson were both 10 years old when they abducted and killed James Bulger in Merseyside in February 1993.

Both were convicted of murder and eventually released on licence in 2001, after serving their custodial sentences.

Venables has since been recalled to prison on two occasions for possessing indecent images of children.

Now, his latest parole case has prompted James Bulger’s family to seek a public hearing.

FAMILY APPLIES FOR HEARING TO BE MADE PUBLIC

The Parole Board confirmed in August 2026 that it had received an application from Denise and Stuart Fergus, as well as a separate application from representatives for Jimmy and Ralph Bulger, asking for Venables’ upcoming oral parole hearing to be held in public.

The applications argue that the case is exceptional and of significant public interest.

They point to the original murder, Venables’ later offending as an adult, his previous recalls to custody and the complex issues surrounding anonymity, risk assessment and release arrangements.

The families argue that allowing the public to observe the hearing could provide greater understanding of how parole decisions are made and how evidence and risk are assessed.

However, no decision had been announced approving a public hearing.

Under the Parole Board’s rules, parole hearings normally take place in private. The Chair of the Parole Board decides whether an application for a public hearing should be granted.

VENABLES’ HISTORY AFTER RELEASE

Venables and Thompson were released on licence in 2001, with lifelong anonymity orders protecting their identities.

Venables was later recalled to prison in 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.

He was released again in 2013, but was recalled for a second time in 2017 after another offence involving indecent images of children.

His parole case was considered again in 2023.

The Parole Board rejected his application at that time, with ITV reporting that the panel concluded he continued to pose a danger to children and could offend again.

The latest parole review represents another stage in the process of assessing whether he can safely be released under licence.

JAMES BULGER’S FAMILY WANTS GREATER TRANSPARENCY

The request for a public hearing comes from members of James Bulger’s family and their representatives.

In its published summary, the Parole Board said Denise and Stuart Fergus argued that public scrutiny could help address