Mother of James Bulger is ‘shellshocked’ as her son’s killer Jon Venables could be freed by Christmas

James Bulger’s mother was said to be in ‘shell shock’ last night after it emerged one of her son’s killers could be released before Christmas.

Jon Venables, 40, was ten years old when he and Robert Thompson, now 39, grabbed the toddler from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his body near a railway line a mile away in Liverpool.

Both were jailed for life, but released in June 2001 with new identities under a lifetime license. Thompson never committed an offence, but Venables was caught with child abuse images on his computer and recalled to prison twice, in 2010 and 2017.

He was given a 40-month prison sentence but has now served double that amount after being rejected for release at the end of his sentence.

Yesterday it emerged that a two-day hearing will take place on November 14 to determine whether he can be released again.

Jon Venables, 40, was ten years old when he and Robert Thompson, now 39, grabbed the toddler from a shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993. The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his body by a railway line two and a half miles away in Liverpool. Pictured: Jon Vernables in 1993

Despite requests for the hearing to take place in public, it will take place behind closed doors, with a three-member parole board taking private evidence from prison staff, probation officers and psychiatrists.

Victim impact statements from James’ mother Denise Fergus, 54, and father Ralph Bulger, 55, who both begged the Parole Board to reject Venables’ bid for release, will also be read out.

Normally parole decisions are made within a fortnight, meaning Venables could be free in time for Christmas.

Yesterday a source told the Mail that Ms Fergus had not been informed of the date of the hearing before it appeared in the media. “She is shocked,” they said.

She previously told the Parole Board: ‘If you release him you could ruin the lives of another family like ours. When you look at Venables’ record, remember what he is capable of. He murdered my son James, has reoffended time and time again and I have no doubt he would kill another child if released.”

Under current rules, Justice Minister Alex Chalk has the power to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its decision if it decides to release Venables. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said the minister was giving the case ‘deep personal attention’.

Stricter measures currently being introduced by Parliament, as part of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, would give ministers the power to veto release decisions for the most serious or repeat offenders.

The bill follows widespread concerns about parole being too lenient following scandals over black cab rapist John Worboys and double child murderer Colin Pitchfork.

It will also reform the role of the Chair of the Parole Board to ensure it focuses on strategic leadership and does not influence individual parole decisions.

A source told the Mail that James’ mother Denise Fergus, 54, had not been informed of the date of the hearing before it appeared in the media. “She is shocked,” they said. Pictured above is James Bulger

Before the decision was announced to hear the parole hearing in private, Mr Bulger told The Sun: ‘If the Justice Secretary is serious about reforms he should allow me to be present at the hearing on the parole of Venables.

‘I want Venables to hear why I believe his parole should be refused. For too long, victims and families have been ignored while authorities prioritized the so-called rights of dangerous criminals.”

The Parole Board said its decisions “focus solely on the risk an inmate might pose to the public if released, and whether that risk is manageable in the community.”

A spokesperson added: ‘A panel will carefully examine a wide range of evidence, including details of the original crime and any evidence of change in behaviour, and examine the damage caused and the impact the crime has had on the victims.

“A parole review is conducted thoroughly and with the utmost care. Protecting the public is our first priority.”

Mr Chalk told the Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge last night: “This is a horrible thing. It is one that is seared into the memory of a nation and, quite frankly, into all of us.

‘There is a process by which I can make presentations based on the information that comes to me. I must act correctly.

“But I will do everything I can to ensure that justice is done in a way that the British people would understand.”