James Bulger's mother says son's killer WILL offend again if freed
Mother of murdered James Bulger says her son’s killer Jon Venables WILL offend again if he is freed by Christmas after he was granted two-day parole hearing behind closed doors
- Jon Venables has been granted a two-day parole hearing on November 14 and 15
The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger believes that her son’s killer Jon Venables ‘will undoubtedly offend again’ if he is freed after he was granted a two-day parole hearing behind closed doors.
Denise Fergus, who was left ‘shellshocked’ by the prospect of Venables being released by Christmas, described the killer as ‘one of the biggest dangers to our country’.
Venables, 40, was aged ten when he and Robert Thompson, now 39, snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993. The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his mutilated body by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool.
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.
Yesterday it emerged that a two-day hearing will be held on November 14 and 15 to determine whether Venables can be freed again.
Issuing a statement on behalf of Mrs Fergus, the James Bulger Memorial Trust said: ‘Denise remains deeply concerned about the potential release of Jon Venables, whom she considers to be one of the biggest dangers to our country.
Denise Fergus (pictured), the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, believes that her son’s killer Jon Venables ‘will undoubtedly offend again’ if he is freed
Yesterday it emerged that Jon Venables (pictured aged 10) had been granted a two-day hearing to determine whether he can be freed again
James Bulger (pictured) was tortured and killed before his mutilated body was dumped by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool
‘She firmly believes that if he is released he will undoubtedly offend again. The thought of him being allowed back into our communities is undeniably alarming.’
The trust also said Mrs Fergus wanted to ‘express her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shown their support for her and her family during this difficult time’.
The statement added: ‘Your unwavering support is greatly appreciate. All we can do now is hope and pray that the parole board deny his release and Denise finally gets Justice for James.’
Venables was jailed for 40 months after being recalled to prison but has now served double after being rejected for release at the end of his sentence.
Despite requests for Venables’ hearing to be held in public, it will take place behind closed doors, with a three-person parole panel taking evidence in private from prison officers, probation officers and psychiatrists.
Victim impact statements from James’s mother and father Ralph Bulger, 55, who have both implored the Parole Board to reject Venables’s bid to be released, will also be read.
Typically, parole decisions are made within 14 days, meaning Venables could be free in time for Christmas.
Robert Thompson (pictured) was also jailed as a ten-year-old boy but he was released in 2001 and has not re-offended since
Denise Fergus described Venables as ‘one of the biggest dangers to our country’. Pictured: James Bulger
A source told the Mail yesterday that Mrs Fergus had not been informed of the parole hearing date before it appeared in the media. ‘She’s shellshocked,’ they said.
Previously Mrs Fergus told the Parole Board: ‘If you let him free, you could be ruining the lives of another family like ours. When you look at Venables’s file just remember what he is capable of.
‘He killed my son James, has reoffended time and time again and I have no doubt he would kill another child if he is released.’
Under current rules, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has the power to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its decision if it decides to release Venables.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said the minister was giving the case his ‘close personal attention’.
Tougher measures currently going through Parliament, as part of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, would give ministers the power to veto release decisions for the most serious or repeat offenders.
Mrs Fergus described child murderer Jon Venables as ‘one of the biggest dangers to our country’
The Bill follows widespread concern about parole panels being too soft after scandals over black cab rapist John Worboys and double child killer Colin Pitchfork.
It will also reform the role of the chairman of the Parole Board to ensure they focus on strategic leadership and have no influence over individual parole decisions.
Before the decision for the parole hearing to be heard in private was announced, Mr Bulger told The Sun: ‘If the Justice Secretary is serious on reform then he must allow me to be present at Venables’s parole hearing.
‘I want Venables to hear why I believe he should have his parole denied. For too long, victims and families have been ignored while authorities put the so-called rights of dangerous criminals first.’
The Parole Board said its decisions ‘are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community’.
A spokesman added: ‘A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
‘Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.’
Mr Chalk told last night’s Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge: ‘This is an appalling case. It’s one that is seared on the memory of a nation and frankly on all of us.
‘There is a process which means I can make presentations based upon the information that comes to me. I have to act properly.
‘But I will do everything I properly can to ensure that justice is done in a way that British people would understand.’
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