James Bulger Family Threatens Legal Action Over Killer's Parole Hearing Exclusion

The family of murdered toddler James Bulger are believed to have threatened legal action after being excluded from attending the parole hearing for his killer, Jon Venables.

Venables is scheduled for his latest bid for freedom, which will be heard in private. This comes despite a request from James's family for the hearing to be held in public, aiming to counter "misinformation" surrounding the case.

Previously, James's mother Denise Fergus, her husband Stuart Fergus, and James's father Ralph Bulger had been informed they would be permitted to attend the hearing. However, the parole board has now decided against a public hearing, stating it would increase "the risk of identifying the prisoner and of sensationalising the case."

Lawyers representing Ms. Fergus have reportedly sent a letter to the parole board seeking explanations for this decision reversal.

A source close to the family expressed their devastation and sense of betrayal, stating, "For months Denise and the family have been preparing themselves to face Venables, and this has been emotionally exhausting. But now they have been told that they will not be allowed access to the hearing and they have been left feeling devastated and let down. The only option they had was to issue a legal letter to the parole board demanding answers on why they reversed this decision."

The family described themselves as "outraged" by the decision and felt "let down beyond belief."

At Venables's previous parole hearing in 2023, his request for release was denied. The board concluded that he still posed a danger to children and could potentially re-offend.

Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both 10 years old at the time, abducted James from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993. James was later tortured and murdered.

Venables was released on license in July 2001. He was recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer. He was released again in August 2013, only to be recalled in November 2017 for the same offense. Parole judges reviewed his case again in September 2020.

Victims have had the ability to attend parole hearings held in private since reforms were introduced nationally in April, intended to enhance confidence in the justice system.

However, the parole board stated that a public hearing would make it "very difficult for Jon Venables to give evidence" due to concerns that he could be "listened to by people who are seeking to get information so that they can kill him." Venables has been granted lifetime anonymity regarding his adult identity, appearance, and location.

Sir John Saunders, representing the parole board, wrote in his decision: "I note that a high bar has been set for a public hearing to be in the interests of justice and I have decided that this high bar is not met in this case."