James Bulger’s parents blocked from attending child killer’s parole hearing

James Bulger’s killer Jon Venables will have a parole hearing to decide if he can be released from prison (Picture: PA)

It’s almost 30 years since little James Bulger’s killers were found guilty of abduction and murder.

The toddler was snatched by 10-year-old boys Jon Venables and Robert Thompson outside a butcher’s shop in Bootle, Merseyside on February 12, 1993.

They then led James on a two-and-a-half mile walk to the village of Walton where they brutally tortured and killed the helpless two-year-old.

After being convicted in November that same year, Venables and Thompson were detained ‘at her majesty’s pleasure’ with a minimum sentence of eight years.

Both killers were released from prison on a life licence in June 2001 and handed new identities and lifelong anonymity after a parole board determined they were no longer a threat to public safety.

Thompson is now thought to be in a homosexual relationship with a man who knows his true identity and is living somewhere in the north west.

However, his accomplice Venables found himself behind bars again in 2010 after he was found guilty of possessing pornographic images of children.

James Bulger was murdered in 1993 aged just two (Picture: Today/Shutterstock)

He was released three years later but recalled to prison in 2017 for again being caught with indecent images of children.

Venables has remained in jail ever since.

But now he is set for a parole hearing next Tuesday and Wednesday which could see him freed from prison once more.

James Bulger’s parents barred from attending parole hearing

Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger (Picture: PA)

Not only could Venables be released, but James’s parents have also been barred from attending the hearing.

More: Trending

It means they will not be able to read out statements explaining why they think Venables should not be allowed out of prison, reports The Sun.

The family are angry they will not be able to speak at the private hearing but parole officers will remain in touch with Ralph Bulger and Denise Fergus over potential living arrangements for Venables if he is released.

Both Ralph, 57, and Denise, 55, will share concerns in separate impact statements that Venables will likely reoffend if released.

Ralph Bulger wanted to tell Jon Venables that he should stay behind bars (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

A source told The Sun: ‘It is deeply unfair and there is a sense of unease about what has happened so far.

‘Denise will say she is certain that Venables will re-offend and she fears another family suffering like hers has done.

‘They will both say Venables’ rights have been put above theirs.

‘If he is released, he would know all about them but they would know nothing about him. He even knows where James’ grave is, for heaven’s sake.’

Ralph has been keen for a public hearing so his son’s killer can hear him say that he should be kept inside.

The Parole Board said: ‘The hearing will be held privately, similar to the vast majority of parole hearings.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.