JON VENABLES FACES NEW PAROLE HEARING AS PAROLE BOARD REJECTS PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST

Jon Venables, one of the two men convicted over the killing of two-year-old James Bulger, is set to face a new parole hearing — but the proceedings will remain private despite a request from James’s mother for the public to be allowed to observe.

Venables, now 44, was 10 years old when he and Robert Thompson abducted James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993.

The case shocked Britain and has remained one of the country’s most closely followed criminal cases for more than three decades.

Now, more than two years after his previous parole review, Venables is due to appear before the Parole Board at an oral hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST REJECTED

The Parole Board confirmed on September 28 that an application to make Venables’ hearing public had been refused.

James’s mother, Denise Fergus, and other applicants had argued that the case was of exceptional public interest and that greater transparency could help address misinformation surrounding the case.

They also argued that a public hearing could allow people to better understand how the parole system assesses risk and makes decisions about release.

However, the Parole Board concluded that the threshold for making the hearing public had not been met.

John Saunders, deciding on behalf of the Board Chair, said a public hearing could make it extremely difficult for Venables to give evidence because of concerns that people seeking information about his identity could pose a threat to his life.

The Board’s decision means the hearing will remain private.

DENISE FERGUS WILL BE ABLE TO OBSERVE

Although the public will not be permitted to attend, victims have gained greater access to private parole hearings under reforms introduced in April 2026.

Denise Fergus has been granted permission to observe the hearing and provide a victim impact statement.

She had argued that being able to observe the proceedings would give her and other victims a better understanding of how the parole decision is reached.

The Parole Board said the decision to keep the hearing private was based on the circumstances of Venables’ case and the risks surrounding his identity and personal safety.

PREVIOUS PAROLE BID WAS REJECTED

This will not be Venables’ first attempt to secure release following his return to prison.

He was released on licence in 2001 after serving part of his sentence.

In 2010, he was recalled to prison after indecent images of children were found on his computer.

He was released again in 2013 but was recalled in 2017 after another offence involving indecent images of children.

A subsequent parole review in 2020 considered whether he should remain in custody.

In 2023, the Parole Board rejected another application for release, concluding that Venables continued to present a risk and could commit another offence.

A CASE THAT REMAINS UNDER LIFELONG ANONYMITY PROTECTION

Venables’ identity has been protected by a lifelong anonymity order because he was a child when he committed the original offence.

That protection remains a major factor surrounding every parole decision.

The Parole Board has stressed that its decision about the hearing being private is separate from the eventual decision on whether Venables should be released.

The upcoming hearing will assess his current risk and whether the legal requirements for release are met.

No decision on his release has been announced.

For James Bulger’s family, the parole process continues more than 30 years after the two-year-old was taken from his family and killed.

For Venables, the forthcoming hearing represents another review of whether he can safely return to the community under licence.

The date of the oral hearing has not been publicly disclosed.