JON VENABLES FACES NEW PAROLE HEARING — JAMES BULGER’S FAMILY LEFT DEVASTATED BY PRIVATE DECISION

The latest bid for freedom by one of the men convicted over the death of toddler James Bulger will be heard behind closed doors, despite his mother’s plea for greater transparency.

More than three decades after two-year-old James Bulger was taken from a shopping centre in Merseyside, England, the case has returned to the headlines as Jon Venables prepares for another parole hearing.

Venables, now 44, was convicted alongside Robert Thompson for the 1993 abduction and murder of James, who was just two years old. Both boys were 10 at the time of the crime.

Now, Venables’ latest attempt to secure release from prison is facing intense public scrutiny — and a decision about how the hearing will be conducted has reignited the anguish of James’s family.

WHY THE PAROLE HEARING WILL BE PRIVATE

On September 28, 2026, the Parole Board confirmed that Venables’ hearing would not be opened to the public.

James’s mother, Denise Fergus, had asked for the proceedings to be made public, arguing that greater transparency could help counter misinformation surrounding the case and allow the family to feel that their concerns had finally been heard.

Several media organisations also supported calls for a public hearing.

However, the Parole Board rejected the application. Its decision cited concerns that making the proceedings public could make it extremely difficult for Venables to give evidence safely, particularly given the threats he could face.

Parole hearings are generally held in private, although the rules allow public hearings in exceptional circumstances when it is considered to be in the interests of justice.

The decision has left the family facing another painful chapter in a case that has remained in the public consciousness since 1993.

JAMES BULGER’S FATHER SPEAKS OUT

James’s father, Ralph Bulger, has also expressed anger over the decision.

In comments reported by The Sun, he criticised the authorities for refusing to allow the hearing to take place publicly, saying he felt the family’s emotions had been overlooked.

His reaction reflects the continuing distress surrounding the case, particularly as the possibility of Venables’ release brings renewed attention to the family’s loss.

For James’s parents, the parole process is not simply a legal procedure. It is connected to the memory of their young son and the lasting consequences of what happened to him.

A CASE THAT HAS HAUNTED BRITAIN FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

James disappeared from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993. He had been taken away by Venables and Thompson, who were later convicted of his abduction and murder.

The case shocked the United Kingdom because of James’s age and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.

Venables and Thompson were released on licence in 2001 under lifelong anonymity protections. Their new identities have been legally protected to reduce the risk of reprisals.

However, Venables was later returned to prison twice after being convicted of offences involving indecent images of children — first in 2010 and again following his recall in 2017.

Those subsequent convictions have continued to influence public debate about whether he should ever be released again.

WHY HIS LATEST BID FOR FREEDOM MATTERS

Venables’ previous parole bid was rejected in 2023. At that time, the Parole Board concluded that he continued to pose a risk and could offend again.

His latest review will require the panel to consider the evidence about his current risk, progress in prison and whether that risk can be managed safely in the community.

The outcome is not yet known. The fact that a hearing has been arranged does not mean that release has been approved.

The proceedings are expected to take place privately, with the panel assessing the evidence before making its decision.

For James’s family, the uncertainty is particularly difficult. They have spent decades living with the consequences of the case, and the prospect of another decision about Venables’ future has brought their concerns back into focus.

A FAMILY STILL SEEKING TO BE HEARD

Denise Fergus has said that a public hearing could help address misinformation and improve understanding of the parole process.

The board, however, concluded that the threshold for making this particular hearing public had not been met.

The disagreement highlights a difficult balance: the need to protect the integrity and safety of parole proceedings while recognising the profound impact that decisions can have on victims’ families.

As the latest review approaches, public attention remains firmly fixed on whether Venables will be permitted to leave prison.

For James’s family, the central issue is much more personal. Their son was only two years old when his life was taken, and no parole decision can change what happened.

The hearing may determine the next chapter in Jon Venables’ future, but for James Bulger’s family, the loss of their little boy remains a lifelong reality.

Sources: UK Parole Board, Sky News, ITV News and The Sun.