Latest news with #JonVenables
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- News.com.au
Child killer James Bulger could be free by end of the year
James Bulger killer Jon Venables has applied for parole again — which could see him freed by the end of the year. The move has left James's family in fear, sources say. Officials have warned them that Venables, now 42, who abducted and murdered the two-year-old in 1993, will be referred to the Parole Board within six months, The Sun reported. He was last refused parole in December 2023 after a panel ruled he posed a risk. But a source said: 'It's very worrying that the process has started all over again. How many chances does he need before they throw away the key? 'The family are wracked with fear, and who can blame them?' Probation chiefs are said to have assured James's parents — mum Denise Fergus, 55, and her ex-husband Ralph Bulger, 58 — that Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood does not want him freed 'on her watch'. Venables and Robert Thompson, then both 10 years old, took James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. They were convicted in 1993 and given life sentences. Venables was released on licence in 2001 after eight years in youth custody. He was recalled to jail in 2010 after child abuse images were found on his computer. Venables was freed again in 2013 but was recalled in 2017 over more images. He was given a 40-month prison term, and has failed in three parole bids since. His latest attempt is understood to be in the early stages as he is assessed by psychologists and probation chiefs. A representative of Denise had been contacted. The Parole Board did not comment.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Daily Mail
James Bulger's killer applies for parole AGAIN - sparking fury and fear for family of the murdered schoolboy
The family of murdered schoolboy James Bulger have been left 'wracked with fear' over news that their son's killer is once again up for parole. Jon Venables, now 42, was last refused release in December 2023 when the independent board ruled that he remained a risk to the public. However, he is set to be referred to the Parole Board within six months - meaning he could be free by the end of this year, The Sun reported. James, two, was abducted, tortured and beaten to death by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in 1993 in a crime which shocked the nation. The pair became the youngest ever to be convicted of murder after James' body was found on a railway track two days later. They were both convicted in 1993 and given life sentences, a source of controversy given their age. After eight years in youth custody, Venables was released in 2001 to much public outcry. A pressure group called Mothers Against Murder gathered outside the parole board's headquarters in Westminster, central London to demonstrate. Despite public pressure, the decision was made to release Venables on license in 2001 but he was recalled in 2010 after officers discovered child abuse images on his computer. He was granted parole again in 2013 but only four years later he was back in jail after yet more images were uncovered. The news of yet another parole hearing has left the family of James Bulger fearing the worst. A source told The Sun: 'It's very worrying that the process has started all over again. How many chances does he need before they throw away the key? 'The family are wracked with fear, and who can blame them?' However, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood does not want him released under her watch, a message that has been passed on to James' parents by senior probation figures. Venables' parole review is believed to still be in its infancy and his last three parole bids have failed.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- The Sun
Fury as James Bulger's killer Jon Venables applies for parole AGAIN – & could be freed by end of year
JAMES Bulger killer Jon Venables has applied for parole again — which could see him freed by the end of the year. The move has left James's family in fear, say sources. 5 5 Officials have warned them that Venables, now 42, who abducted and murdered the two-year-old in 1993, will be referred to the Parole Board within six months. He was last refused parole in December 2023 after a panel ruled he posed a risk. But a source said: 'It's very worrying that the process has started all over again. How many chances does he need before they throw away the key? 'The family are wracked with fear, and who can blame them?' Probation chiefs are said to have assured James's parents — mum Denise Fergus, 55, and her ex-husband Ralph Bulger, 58 — that Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood does not want him freed 'on her watch'. Venables and Robert Thompson, then both ten, took James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. They were convicted in 1993 and given life sentences. Venables was released on licence in 2001 after eight years in youth custody. He was recalled to jail in 2010 after child abuse images were found on his computer. Venables was freed again in 2013 but was recalled in 2017 over more images. He was given a 40-month prison term, and has failed in three parole bids since. His latest attempt is understood to be in the early stages as he is assessed by psychologists and probation chiefs. A representative of Denise had been contacted. The Parole Board did not comment. My son's vile killers tried to abduct two young girls before they kidnapped & tortured him, says James Bulger's mum 5 5 5
