Jon Venables, one of the killers of two-year-old James Bulger, will remain in prison after he told a Parole Board panel that he was not seeking release. The panel published its findings on Monday, saying Venables had submitted an opening statement to the effect that he accepted the need to undertake further offending work in custody and was not seeking release.
The Parole Board panel considered evidence from probation officers, three psychologists and a psychiatrist. All but one concluded that Venables should remain in prison. Panel members found there were concerns about how well he would work with probation staff if released and "how open and honest he would be in supervision". They noted "a need for further work in custody to address his sexual interests".
Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 at the time, snatched James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993. They led him two-and-a-half miles to a railway line where they beat him to death. Both boys were found guilty of murder and sentenced to indefinite detention. They were released on life licence in 2001 at the age of 18.
Venables was recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer. He was released again in August 2013, then recalled in November 2017 for the same offence. An earlier parole bid in 2020 also failed; parole judges considered his case again in September 2020.
In the latest review, a victim personal statement describing "the devastating impact of Mr Venables' crime and the impact of his offending" was heard. The panel's summary said Venables "articulated his protracted and extreme remorse for his crime", which professionals assessed as genuine and sincere. Panel members concluded they were "not satisfied that Mr Venables was suitable for release".
James Bulger's mother, Denise Fergus, had previously called for the parole hearing to be held in public to combat what she said was “misinformation” about the case. The Parole Board denied the request, saying a public hearing would make it “very difficult for Jon Venables to give evidence” because he could be “being listened to by people who are seeking to get information so that they can kill him”.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The decision ensures Venables remains in prison for the foreseeable future, addressing public safety concerns.
- It reflects the Parole Board's assessment that he has not completed the necessary work to address his sexual offending.
- The case continues to attract significant public interest given its historical impact and the victim's family's desire for transparency.
Background
Jon Venables was one of two 10-year-old boys who abducted and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993. After serving eight years, Venables was released on licence in 2001 with a new identity. He was recalled to prison in 2010 and again in 2017 for possessing indecent images of children. His last parole review, in September 2020, also failed. He is now 44.
Key Perspectives
Venables (through his submitted statement): He accepted the need to undertake further offending work in custody and was not seeking release.
Parole Board panel: They were "not satisfied" Venables was suitable for release, citing concerns about his openness with probation and a need for further work on his sexual interests.
Victim's mother Denise Fergus: She had called for the parole hearing to be held in public to combat "misinformation" about the case, which she said had a "retraumatising impact" on her.
What to Watch
- Whether Venables will be assessed again for parole in a future review, and what progress he makes on the offending work identified by the panel.
- Any further public debate about the transparency of Parole Board hearings in high-profile cases.
- Possible legal challenges or appeals from either side regarding the decision or the Parole Board's procedures.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 3 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedVenables will remain in prison after saying he was not seeking release.The Independent UK: “Venables, now 44, told parole staff dealing with his latest review – which took place in private – that he was not seeking release.”
- SupportedThe panel summary said Venables accepted the need for further offending work in custody and was not seeking release.The Independent UK: ““At the outset of the hearing, Mr Venables submitted an opening statement to the effect that he accepted the need to undertake further offending work in custody and so was not seeking release.””
- SupportedThe panel published its findings on Monday.The Independent UK: “A summary of the panel’s findings, published on Monday, said:”
- SupportedThe panel considered evidence from probation officers, three psychologists and a psychiatrist; all but one concluded Venables should remain in prison.BBC News: “The panel considered evidence from probation officers based in the prison and in the community, three psychologists and a psychiatrist. All bar one concluded that he should remain in prison.”
- SupportedPanel members had concerns about how well Venables would work with probation staff if released and how open and honest he would be in supervision.The Independent UK: “Members found that there were concerns about how well Venables would work with probation staff if released and “how open and honest he would be in supervision”.”
- SupportedThe panel said further work in custody was needed to address Venables’ sexual interests.The Independent UK: “They said there is “a need for further work in custody to address his sexual interests”.”
- SupportedVenables and Thompson, both aged 10 at the time, snatched James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993.BBC News: “Venables tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 after he and Robert Thompson, both then aged 10, snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.”
- SupportedThe boys led James two-and-a-half miles to a railway line and beat him to death.BBC News: “The two boys, who were truanting from school, led James two-and-a-half miles to a railway track where they beat him to death.”
- SupportedVenables and Thompson were found guilty of murder and sentenced to indefinite detention.The Independent UK: “The two boys were found guilty of abduction and murder and sentenced to indefinite detention.”
- SupportedVenables was released in 2001 at age 18, recalled in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer, released again in August 2013, and recalled in November 2017 for the same offence.STV News: “Venables was released on licence in July 2001 and recalled to prison in February 2010, after indecent images of children were found on his computer. He was once again freed in August 2013 and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence”
- SupportedThe panel heard a victim personal statement describing the impact of Venables’ crime and offending, and professionals assessed his remorse as genuine and sincere.The Independent UK: “In the latest review, a “victim personal statement which clearly conveyed the devastating impact of Mr Venables’ crime and the impact of his offending” was heard by the panel. ... Professionals assessed this to be genuine and sincere.”
- SupportedThe Parole Board denied Denise Fergus’s request for a public hearing, saying it could make it very difficult for Venables to give evidence because people seeking information might kill him.The Independent UK: “But the Parole Board denied that request, saying that a public hearing would make it “very difficult for Jon Venables to give evidence” because he could be “being listened to by people who are seeking to get information so that they can kill him”.”