James Bulger’s family slams decision to grant killer Jon Venables a private parole hearing

JAMES Bulger’s family hit out last night at a decision to grant his killer Jon Venables a private parole hearing.

Their application for a public hearing was rejected to spare him extra “emotional stress”.

PA:Press Association

James Bulger was snatched from his parents in a shopping centre in Merseyside[/caption]

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Jon Venables was ten years old when he was arrested for the torture and murder of two-year-old James Bulger[/caption]

James’s mum, Denise Fergus, said she was disappointed by the decision.

She said Venables still posed a risk and added: “The public deserves to know that measures are being taken to protect society from individuals who have shown a propensity for reoffending.”

Venables, 40, and Robert Thompson were ten when they killed two-year-old James in Merseyside in 1993.

They got lifelong anonymity on release in 2001 but Venables was jailed again in 2010 and 2018 for possessing child abuse images.

His latest parole hearing will be held next month.

But board chair Caroline Corby said it should be private to protect his identity and because the stress could “impact on his long-term health”.

James’ dad Ralph, 57, has said he wants a public hearing so his son’s killer can hear him say he should be kept in jail for life.

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James’s mum, Denise Fergus, said she was disappointed by the decision[/caption]