Jamie Bulger’s killer Jon Venables is granted a new parole hearing and could be released from prison within weeks

Jamie Bulger’s killer, Jon Venables, has reportedly received a new parole hearing and could be released from prison in a matter of weeks.

Venables, 40, and Robert Thompson, 39, were both just 10 years old when they kidnapped, tortured and murdered the innocent two-year-old boy before leaving his mutilated body at a Liverpool railway line 30 years ago.

The toddler was snatched from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993.

Both men were released in 2001 with life sentences, but Venables was recalled to prison twice, in 2010 and 2017, for being found to be in possession of indecent images of children.

The child killer has been told his case will be heard in the coming weeks, despite fears a change in the law would prevent him from being released. The sun reports.

James’ mother Denise Fergus, 55, and father Ralph, 56, are said to have made written statements in an attempt to prevent Venables from being released. Attorney General Alex Chalk is believed to agree with the parents.

James Bulger (pictured) was tragically murdered by Venables and Robert Thompson. They kidnapped, tortured and killed the two-year-old

A source told The Sun: “Venables is in high spirits because he believes this is his best and possibly his last chance at freedom.

“He has received official confirmation and has been working on his presentation for parole.”

But a second source said it is “incredibly unlikely” that the killer will be recommended for release, adding: “He’s a chaotic character who clearly hasn’t been rehabilitated.”

Early next year, a new bill will empower the Minister of Justice to prevent repeat offenders from being released.

The Victims and Prisoners Act will make public safety the sole priority when considering the release of repeat offenders.

Currently, the rights of detainees weigh more heavily when making such decisions.

Venables was released from prison in 2001 at age 18 and given a new identity, but ended up in prison again in 2010 and 2017 over child sex charges. He was last denied parole in 2020.

James’ mother has previously spoken out about Venables’ non-release and has met with Mr Chalk to raise the same concerns.

Robert Thompson (pictured) was also imprisoned as a 10-year-old boy, but he was released in 2001 and has not re-offended since.

A surveillance camera shows the abduction of two-year-old James Bulger from the Bootle Strand shopping center on February 12, 1993

James (pictured) was brutally tortured and killed by the two ten-year-old boys. The crime made the boys the youngest killers in modern English history

Denise has previously claimed that former Justice Minister Dominic Raab promised her his reform bill would keep her child’s killer in prison.

He added to her peace of mind when he told her that Venables would no longer be free to roam under his proposed new “two strikes and you stay in” policy.

On meeting Mr Raab, Denise told the Mirror: ‘During that meeting I heard words I had always wanted to hear.

His lips moved, but I couldn’t hear it all because I never believed I’d hear those words.

“The words that according to his plans, Venables would never walk free again.

“I never thought this day would ever come. I froze.’

James’ brother Michael Fergus, 29, said earlier this year that even after 30 years he will never forgive the killers, adding that Venables should remain behind bars.

Mr. Fergus was born eight months after the tragedy, and although he never met his brother, he grew up with the consequences of those events.

He told the Sunday Express: ‘My brother’s murderers will never be forgiven. They took my older brother, whom I never met.’

He added, “They robbed me of my childhood in a nutshell.”

Michael still lives close to his mother Denise and her husband Stuart, in the North West of England.

Denise and James’ father, Ralph, divorced in 1995 as the grief took its toll.