Jon Venables, the convicted murderer of James Bulger, is allegedly too afraid to participate in his upcoming parole hearing if the victim’s family is present. Venables, who was involved in the abduction and killing of two-year-old James in Merseyside in 1993 along with Robert Thompson, served a prison sentence but was later imprisoned again in 2010 and 2017 for offenses related to child abuse images.
Despite Venables’ attempts to secure parole, his applications in 2020 and December 2023 were rejected due to concerns about his risk to society and lack of honesty with probation authorities. A source revealed to The Sun that Venables expressed his refusal to attend the hearing if James’ parents, Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger, are in attendance. This decision is seen as manipulative and cowardly, potentially jeopardizing his chances of release.
Denise Fergus, in an exclusive interview with The Mirror, expressed her desire to face her son’s killer at the parole hearing, emphasizing the ongoing emotional turmoil she endures due to Venables’ actions. Venables and Thompson’s heinous crime involved the abduction, torture, and abandonment of James’ body on a railway track in Liverpool, leading to their life sentences in 1993.
Despite being released in 2001 after serving time in youth custody, Venables’ repeated violations led to his return to prison in 2010 and 2017 for possessing disturbing images. Despite receiving a 40-month prison term, Venables’ parole bids have been consistently unsuccessful. Former Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has previously voiced opposition to Venables’ potential release, echoing the sentiments of James’ parents who are adamant about keeping the murderer incarcerated.
