James Bulger’s mother slams move to hold Jon Venables’ parole hearing in secret to ‘protect’ the mental health of her son’s killer

James Bulger’s mother has slammed the move to hold Jon Venables’ parole hearing in secret to ‘protect’ the mental health of her son’s killer.

Denise Fergus is ‘disappointed’ that the requests to hold the hearing in public were denied and believes that Venables, 40, ‘poses a great risk to the public’ and has a ‘clear disregard for the safety of others’.

Venables and Robert Thompson, 39, were both ten when they kidnapped, tortured and killed two-year-old James before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line in Liverpool. The toddler was snatched from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993.

Both men were released in 2001 on licence for life but Venables has been recalled to prison twice, in 2010 and 2017, having been found to be in possession of indecent images of children.

A hearing is now due to take place in mid-November to decide whether Venables can be released from prison following his latest jail term. 

James Bulger ‘s killer Jon Venables (pictured) will have a private parole hearing next month after requests to hold the proceedings in public were rejected. Venables, now 40, and Robert Thompson, 39, were both ten when they kidnapped, tortured and killed two-year-old James before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line in Liverpool

James Bulger (pictured) was snatched from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993

Denise Fergus is ‘disappointed’ that the requests to hold the hearing in public were denied and believes that Venables, 40, ‘poses a great risk to the public’ and has a ‘clear disregard for the safety of others’

Ms Fergus, in a statement through her spokesperson, told MailOnline that while she is ‘not surprised’ by the ruling, it is disappointing, ‘especially considering the fact that Venables has gone on to commit further offences since his first release’.

‘It is crucial to recognise that his previous actions have demonstrated he is not rehabilitated,’ the statement said, adding that the grieving mother feels Venables is a danger to society. 

Ms Fergus argued that throughout the ‘complex’ parole process it is ‘imperative’ that the private hearing ‘thoroughly assesses whether Venables is safe to be released’.

‘The public deserves to know that measures are being taken to protect society from individuals who have shown a propensity for reoffending,’ she said.

The mother thanked those who have supported her since James was ‘abducted and tragically murdered,’ alleging that the ‘unwavering’ support has given them the ‘strength and determination to continue seeking justice’.

She added: ‘We will continue in advocating for the rights of victims and their families. In the hope that the parole system evolves to ensure that the voices of victims, as well as the potential risks to society, are given the utmost consideration in these crucial decisions.’ 

The mother thanked those who have supported her since James was ‘abducted and tragically murdered,’ alleging that the ‘unwavering’ support has given them the ‘strength and determination to continue seeking justice’. Pictured: Robert Thompson

Chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales Caroline Corby said that the panel had to respect a long-standing legal order that bans the public identification of Venables.

Ms Corby said: ‘At the oral hearing, the panel will need to hear about Jon Venables’ past, present and future life.

‘The panel will need to question witnesses in detail, including Jon Venables, if he is willing to give evidence.

‘In order to respect the injunction, substantial parts of the evidence would need to be held in private including evidence which is likely to be fundamental to the decision of the panel.

‘In circumstances where evidence which is likely to be critical to the panel’s decision cannot be heard in public, it is difficult to see how a public hearing would aid transparency or public understanding of the parole system or the decision in this case.

‘If even parts of the hearing were held in public, there is a risk that some information could inadvertently be revealed, putting Jon Venables at risk and breaching the injunction.’

There is also the risk that any staff who support Venables’ release could withdraw from proceedings for fear for their own safety, the Parole Board chief found.

She said that previous court proceedings where he had appeared in public were different because the parole hearing needs to delve into more personal information.

Ms Corby concluded: ‘It follows that whereas I have deep sympathy for Jon Venables’ victims, I do not grant the application for the hearing to be held in public.’

Four applications were made for the hearing to take place in public, including two by journalists.

A hearing is now due to take place in mid-November to decide whether Venables can be released from prison following his latest jail term. Pictured: James Bulger

Venables was jailed alongside Robert Thompson in November 1993 at the age of 10 for the harrowing murder of toddler James.

He was released on licence in July 2001, and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.

Venables was again released in August 2013, and again called back in November 2017 for the same offence. 

His most recent parole review was in September 2020.

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