More than three decades after the horrific murder of her two-year-old son, James Bulger, his mother Denise Fergus says she finally feels a small sense of peace. Speaking publicly after learning that Jon Venables — one of her son’s killers — has once again been denied parole, Denise described the decision as “the best thing to happen in 30 years.”

“For once, the system has done the right thing,” she said with emotion. “I can finally breathe knowing he won’t be out there to harm another innocent child.”

A Decision That Brings Relief After Decades of Pain

The Parole Board for England and Wales confirmed that Venables will remain in prison, citing continuing risks to public safety. It ruled that despite undergoing treatment and rehabilitation programs, Venables had not shown enough progress to be safely released.

For Denise, the announcement brought a sense of validation after decades of heartbreak and campaigning. “This is justice,” she said. “Not perfect justice, because James can never come back — but finally, justice that protects other families.”

Friends close to her told ITV News that Denise was “overwhelmed” when she heard the news, describing it as “a small but powerful victory” in her long fight to keep Venables behind bars.

The Murder That Shocked a Nation

In February 1993, James Bulger was abducted from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, by two 10-year-old boys — Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.

The pair led James to a railway line, where they tortured and killed him in a crime so brutal that it horrified the world. Both boys were found guilty of murder, becoming the youngest convicted killers in modern British history.

They were detained until 2001, when they were released on lifelong licences with new identities — a decision that has been controversial ever since.

Venables’ Troubled Past

While Robert Thompson has not reoffended, Jon Venables has been recalled to prison twice, first in 2010 and again in 2017, after being caught with child abuse images.

Judges at the time described Venables as a “danger to the public,” and his repeated offences reignited fierce debate about whether he should ever have been freed.

The latest parole review found that Venables still poses a significant risk — a conclusion that Denise Fergus has long warned about. “I always said he would offend again,” she said. “He’s had every chance to change, and every time he’s proved me right.”

A Mother’s Ongoing Battle

Since her son’s death, Denise Fergus has fought tirelessly to ensure Venables remains in prison and to give victims’ families a stronger voice in the parole system.

“This isn’t about revenge,” she explained. “It’s about safety. It’s about making sure no other parent has to go through what I went through.”

Denise has also called for greater transparency in parole hearings, arguing that the families of victims should be allowed to participate more fully and be informed of decisions in real time.

Her campaign has gathered wide public support, with many in the UK echoing her belief that Venables should never be released.

What Happens Next

Under his life licence, Venables could apply for parole again in the coming years, though experts believe the Parole Board’s decision sends a strong signal that release remains unlikely in the near future.

Authorities have made clear that public protection remains the top priority, and any future review will depend on whether Venables can prove he is no longer a threat — something that, in Denise’s eyes, may never happen.

“There will never be a day when I’ll believe he’s safe,” she said. “Not after what he did to my baby.”

Three Decades On — and Still Fighting

For Denise Fergus, this moment doesn’t erase the pain — but it brings a rare moment of relief after years of anguish.

“It’s been thirty years of fighting, thirty years of sleepless nights, thirty years of fear,” she said softly. “But today, I can finally say I feel a little lighter. James can rest knowing justice, at least for now, has been done.”

As Britain remembers the crime that changed the nation, Denise’s words serve as both a plea and a warning: some wounds never heal — and some crimes can never be forgotten.