Private parole hearing for James Bulger killer Jon Venables to begin

A parole hearing for one of the killers of two-year-old James Bulger will take place behind closed doors over the next two days.

The oral hearing to decide whether Jon Venables can be released after his latest sentence for possessing child abuse images is due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales Caroline Corby ruled that proceedings should take place in private, in order to respect a long-standing legal order that bans the public identification of Venables.

James’s relatives have also been barred from attending, although victim impact statements will be read as part of the hearing.

In an interview with the Mirror, his mother Denise urged the panel to keep Venables behind bars.

She told the newspaper: “I have to have hope. I believe parole bosses will see what this man is capable of, what he could inflict on society.

“If his parole is rejected, we will rejoice. It’s been such a long journey. James deserves that justice.”

Venables was jailed alongside Robert Thompson in November 1993 at the age of ten for the harrowing, brutal murder of toddler James.

He was released on licence in July 2001, and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.

Venables was again released in August 2013, and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence.

His most recent parole review was in September 2020.

A decision would normally be given around two weeks after the oral hearing has finished, bar any delays.