James Bulger’s murderer insists he is “completely rehabilitated” and is no longer a danger to the public as battles to be freed from prison.
Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who at the time were both aged 10, abducted two-year-old James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, before torturing and killing him on February 12, 1993.
Venables was jailed alongside Thompson in November 1993 and released on licence in July 2001. He was recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was again released in August 2013 but called back in November 2017 for the same offence. Now aged 41, Venables’ bid for parole was delayed in November and he was granted a last chance to make representations.
The Parole Board has announced that a decision on his release is due some time during the week commencing December 11.
The Sun reports that Venables claims he is a “reformed” man who is “no danger” to the public, but the newspaper also cited an insider as saying “many” people believe he is not ready for the outside world.
Venables had previously been granted a private parole hearing, with reports permission was given to avoid causing him “emotional stress”. But he reportedly failed to give evidence on that occasion.
The insider told the newspaper: “It is like he’s is being given more chances than he needs to show he’s ready to be released. Many argued that failing to turn up for his own parole hearing showed that he was not ready for the outside world.”
Meanwhile, James’s family has reportedly written to the Parole Board in a bid to stop Venables’ release. It comes after James’s mother Denise Fergus urged the Parole Board panel to keep Venables locked up.
A source said last week the family has written to decision-makers, saying they believe Venables is a danger to the public and to children and that he needs to be kept locked up.
After the decision was delayed at the end of last month, a spokeswoman for the family said they hoped the Parole Board would make a decision which would protect the public.
Kym Morris, speaking on November 28, said: “We have been made aware that the parole decision, initially expected this week, will now be made in another two weeks.
“While this news is undoubtedly frustrating for Denise and her family, we understand and appreciate the importance of adhering to procedural requirements in such matters. Denise and her family are grappling with heightened emotions and uncertainty.
“It is our sincere hope that, despite the delay, the Parole Board will carefully consider all relevant factors and make the decision that ensures the safety of the public, well-being of Denise and her loved ones, by not granting Jon Venables parole.”
After his release in 2001, Venables was given a new identity. Conditions were also imposed, which included telling his parole officer if he ever got a job and getting their permission before leaving the country.
Venables also had to see a forensic psychologist on a regular basis and was banned from getting in contact with Thompson and members of James’s family.
He also had to seek his parole officer’s permission to leave Merseyside, stay overnight in the same place as a child under 16 or to spend time with anyone under 12.
MailOnline reports if he were to be released again, then Venables would likely be subject to even stricter conditions.
