Bulger Parents Win Right to Speak at Killer Jon Venables’ Parole Hearing

The parents of murdered toddler James Bulger have been granted the right to attend and speak at the upcoming parole hearing of their son’s killer, Jon Venables — a decision marking the first time in more than three decades that they will be able to directly address those deciding his future.

The Parole Board ruling, described by supporters as a “landmark moment,” allows Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger to deliver personal statements explaining why they believe Venables should remain behind bars. The couple say they will tell the panel they still fear the 43-year-old poses a continuing danger to the public if released.

A Long-Awaited Voice

For years, the Bulger family has fought to have a say in the process that determines whether the men responsible for James’s death should ever walk free again. Until now, they had been permitted to submit written victim-impact statements, but were barred from attending the hearings themselves.

A source close to the family said the decision felt like “a small piece of justice after decades of heartbreak.”

“Both Denise and Ralph strongly believe Venables cannot be rehabilitated and remains a massive danger,” the source said.
“Being able to say that to the panel, face to face, could make a difference as to whether he walks free or not.”

The 1993 Murder That Shocked Britain

James Bulger’s abduction and killing on February 12, 1993, horrified the nation. The two-year-old was lured away from his mother at the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, near Liverpool, by two ten-year-olds — Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.
CCTV images of the small child being led by the hand moments before his death seared themselves into public memory and sparked national outrage.

The boys were convicted later that year, becoming the youngest people ever convicted of murder in modern British history. Both were sentenced to be detained “at Her Majesty’s pleasure,” the juvenile equivalent of a life sentence, with a minimum term of eight years.

After serving eight years, Venables and Thompson were released in 2001 under new identities, their anonymity granted by court order to protect them from retaliation. The case has remained one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged in British legal history.

Venables’ Troubled Adult Life

Venables’s life after release has been marked by repeated controversy and criminal relapse. He was recalled to prison in 2010 and again in 2017 after being found in possession of indecent images of children.
Those offences have intensified calls for stricter oversight and sparked deep anger among James Bulger’s family, who insist the repeated breaches prove he has never been rehabilitated.

Denise Fergus has long argued that Venables remains “a ticking time bomb.” Ralph Bulger has said he feels “haunted” knowing his son’s killer could be released again.

Their legal team confirmed that both parents intend to use the parole appearance to stress those concerns directly to the board.

What Happens Next

The parole hearing, expected to take place later this year, will review whether Venables still poses a risk to society. He is currently serving a sentence for possessing child-abuse material. The panel will consider his conduct in custody, psychological assessments, and the representations made by the Bulger family before deciding whether he should be released under licence or remain incarcerated.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said:

“The Board carefully considers the views of victims and their families. Every case is decided on the evidence, with public safety as the paramount concern.”

While the decision to permit the Bulgers’ attendance does not change the legal criteria for release, victim-rights advocates say it is an important step toward transparency and emotional closure.

“For too long, victims’ families have felt silenced in the parole process,” said Harriet Shaw, director of the charity Justice for Victims. “Allowing them into the room gives them dignity and ensures their voices are truly heard.”

A Family’s Unending Fight

Denise Fergus has spent decades campaigning for tougher sentencing laws for juvenile murderers and greater protections for victims’ families. Her memoir, I Let Him Go, recounts the anguish of losing James and the long battle for justice.
Friends say that despite the years, her pain remains raw — but so does her determination.

“It’s never about revenge,” Fergus said in a past interview. “It’s about protecting other children. I’ll keep fighting because James deserves that.”

Public Reaction

News of the ruling spread quickly across social media, with thousands of messages of support flooding in. Many praised the parents’ perseverance and condemned the idea that Venables could be freed again.

“Every parent in Britain feels their pain,” one user wrote. “They deserve the right to be heard — and the system owes them that.”

Looking Ahead

As the parole date approaches, emotions are running high. Legal experts warn that, regardless of the outcome, the case will reopen old wounds for both the family and the public.
For Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger, however, being in that hearing room represents something they have sought for thirty years — recognition, and a voice in the process that once shut them out.

Whether or not Jon Venables walks free, one thing is certain: the parents of James Bulger will finally be heard.