James Bulger Killer Jon Venables Faces New Parole Hearing — 30 Years After Murder That Shook Britain

LONDON — Child killer Jon Venables, one of the two boys responsible for the abduction and murder of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, is once again set to face a parole hearing, reigniting public outrage over one of the most harrowing crimes in modern British history.

Venables, now in his 40s, is eligible to apply for parole after his previous bid for release was rejected in 2023. This new hearing will determine whether he can be freed from prison, more than 30 years after the murder that shocked the nation and forever scarred Britain’s collective conscience.

The Murder That Stunned a Nation

On February 12, 1993, James Bulger was abducted from the Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside, by two 10-year-old boys — Jon Venables and Robert Thompson. CCTV footage of James, a small, trusting toddler, being led away by the pair remains one of the most haunting images ever captured.

James was taken more than two miles away, beaten, tortured, and left on railway tracks in Walton, Liverpool, where his body was later found. The brutal nature of the killing — and the age of the perpetrators — horrified the world.

During their trial later that year in Preston Crown Court, the judge, Mr Justice Morland, described their actions as “unparalleled evil and barbarity.” Both boys were convicted of murder, becoming the youngest convicted killers in modern British history. They were sentenced to eight years’ detention, though public fury over the perceived leniency of the sentence led to intense media scrutiny and debate over the justice system’s handling of child offenders.

Venables’ Troubled Adult Life

After serving their childhood sentences, both Venables and Thompson were released in 2001 under lifelong anonymity orders that granted them new identities for their protection. However, while Thompson has remained out of trouble, Venables’ life outside prison has been plagued by repeated offences and parole breaches.

In 2010, Venables was jailed after being caught in possession of indecent images of children, including explicit material involving toddlers. He was sentenced to two years in prison but was later released on licence.

In 2017, he was again recalled to prison after being found with over 1,000 indecent images and videos, some depicting horrific abuse. He was handed a 40-month sentence in February 2018 for those crimes.

Parole Board Rejections and Ongoing Risk

The Parole Board first considered Venables’ case in September 2020, but his application for release was denied due to ongoing concerns about the risk he posed to the public. He applied again in November 2023, but the bid was once more rejected, with officials citing disturbing evidence of his continued sexual interest in children.

According to a summary of the Parole Board’s decision at that time, Venables had “accepted that he had a long-term sexual interest in children and indecent images of children,” despite taking part in a “considerable amount of work in prison to address this area of risk.”

The board also noted a history of “substance misuse” and repeated breaches of licence conditions, including attempts to use the internet in secret — a violation of the strict terms imposed upon him.

Now, Venables has been deemed eligible for another parole review, and the decision on whether he should be released will once again rest with the board in the coming months.

Public Fury and James Bulger’s Family Response

News of the upcoming parole hearing has been met with renewed anger and grief from the Bulger family and the British public. James’ mother, Denise Fergus, has been a tireless campaigner against Venables’ release and has repeatedly urged the government to keep him behind bars permanently.

“Jon Venables has shown time and time again that he cannot live in society,” she said in a previous statement. “Every time he’s released, he reoffends. My fear is that if he’s ever freed again, another innocent child could be at risk.”

Her calls have been echoed by campaigners and members of the public who believe that Venables’ anonymity and repeated chances at rehabilitation have failed to protect society.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that any parole decision will take into account his full criminal record, risk assessments, and evidence of rehabilitation. “The Parole Board will only direct release if they are satisfied that it is safe to do so,” a spokesperson said.

A Case That Haunts Britain

More than 30 years after James Bulger’s death, the case continues to haunt the United Kingdom. It sparked national debates about crime, punishment, and the treatment of child offenders — issues that remain unresolved.

For many, Venables’ repeated offences have shattered any notion of rehabilitation. For others, his case highlights the profound psychological scars left by childhood trauma and early exposure to violence.

Either way, the possibility of his release once again forces Britain to confront one of its darkest chapters.

As the parole process begins anew, James Bulger’s name — and the unimaginable horror of his final moments — once again echo across the nation.