James Bulger's family 'angry beyond belief' as killer Jon Venables wins private parole hearing OVER victim's mother's pleas

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026 · last updated 29 September 2026.

Denise Fergus, mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, demanded a public hearing to counter 'misinformation' and said it would have left her 'finally feel listened to' — but the Parole Board ruled against her. Jon Venables, 44, who tortured and killed two-year-old James alongside Robert Thompson in 1993, will face his latest parole bid in private next month. The Parole Board's John Saunders said the 'high bar' for a public hearing 'in the interests of justice' had not been met. The decision has reportedly been called 'outrageous', with James's parents Ralph and Denise said to be 'angry beyond belief'.

The Parole Board argued that opening the hearing to the public would render it 'very difficult for Venables to give evidence' because people would seek out information 'so that they can kill him'.

Venables was recalled to prison on two separate occasions for possessing indecent images of children, and in 2023 judges concluded he remained a danger to children and refused him parole.

James's family, though having secured the right to attend and deliver victim impact statements, will be restricted to listening in remotely, with Venables's new identity shielded by a lifelong anonymity order.