James Bulger's killer Jon Venables denied parole again

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 14:19 · Archive

Jon Venables, who murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, has lost his latest bid for release from prison.

Jon Venables, who was ten years old when he murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, has been denied parole after the Parole Board panel ruled he remains unsuitable for release. Venables and his accomplice Robert Thompson, also aged ten at the time, abducted the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, and killed him.

The Parole Board held a private hearing at which Venables made an opening statement saying he accepted the need to undertake further offending work in custody and was not seeking release. The panel considered evidence from probation officers and mental health professionals. Three psychologists and a psychiatrist found that he should remain in prison, with all but one of the professionals recommending he stay detained.

Venables was initially released on licence in July 2001 but has since been recalled to prison twice. In February 2010, he was sent back after indecent images of children were found on his computer. He was freed again in August 2013 but recalled in November 2017 when the same offence occurred. Parole judges reviewed his case again in September 2020, and he had previously been denied parole in 2023.

Denise Fergus, James Bulger's mother, said she felt 'overwhelming relief' at the decision. A spokeswoman for the family told the Mirror that Fergus had been deeply worried about the prospect of Venables being released, saying she knew 'first-hand the danger he poses to the nation'. The family's representative called for justice officials to review whether serious criminals like Venables should be able to reapply for parole so soon after rejection.

Venables can apply for parole again in two years. Unlike his co-killer Robert Thompson, who has maintained a quiet life since his 2001 release and has not reoffended, Venables has repeatedly returned to custody and remains subject to a lifelong court injunction preventing disclosure of his identity or whereabouts.

How it is being reported

• James Bulger’s killer Jon Venables tells parole board he should stay in prisonHe was 10 when he was convicted and went on to reoffend.Metro · 9 Nov, 14:14
• James Bulger's killer Jon Venables denied latest bid for paroleJames Bulger’s killer Jon Venables has lost his latest bid to be freed from prison after the Parole Board said a panel was “not satisfied” he was suitable for release.The Independent · 9 Nov, 14:11
• One of the killers of James Bulger to remain in prisonJon Venables told parole staff dealing with his latest review, which took place in private, that he was not seeking release.Evening Standard · 9 Nov, 14:10
• James Bulger's killer Jon Venables loses fresh bid to be freed from prisonJames Bulger’s killer Jon Venables has lost his latest bid to be freed from prison. Confirming their decision today, the Parole Board said a panel was "not satisfied" he was suitable for release. Venables, 44, tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in Merseyside in 1993, alongside Robert Thompson, when both killers were just ten years old. Venables and Thompson had snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Venables was released on licence in July 2001, but recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children…GB News · 9 Nov, 14:05
• James Bulger's killer Jon Venables loses latest bid to be freed from prison after Parole Board panel was 'not satisfied' he was suitable for releaseJames Bulger's killer Jon Venables has lost his latest bid to be freed from prison after the Parole Board said a panel was 'not satisfied' he was suitable for release.Daily Mail · 9 Nov, 14:01
• Jon Venables’ parole bid rejected as James Bulger’s family feel ‘overwhelming relief’Denise Fergus, mum of tragic James Bulger who was murdered in 1993, has spoken to the Mirror after Jon Venables had his bid for freedom turned downThe Mirror · 9 Nov, 13:57
• James Bulger's killer Jon Venables to stay in prison after parole refusedChild killer Jon Venables will stay behind bars after the Parole Board found he still poses a risk to children.Sky News · 9 Nov, 13:09

In this story: Jon Venables · James Bulger · Robert Thompson · Denise Fergus · Merseyside · Bootle · Parole Board

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log