‘OVERWHELMING RELIEF’: James Bulger’s Mother Denise Fergus Speaks Out as Jon Venables Is Kept Behind Bars

More than 33 years after the murder of her two-year-old son, Denise Fergus has spoken of her “overwhelming relief” after a parole panel decided that Jon Venables should remain in prison.

For Denise, the decision marks another significant moment in a painful journey that has continued for more than three decades.

Venables, now 44, was one of two 10-year-old boys convicted of abducting and murdering James Bulger in February 1993. The little boy was taken from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, before his body was discovered on a railway line two days later.

The case shocked Britain and became one of the most widely remembered child murder cases in the country’s history.

Denise Fergus welcomes the decision

Following the latest parole decision, Denise described feeling an “overwhelming relief” that Venables would not be released.

Her representatives said the possibility of his release had caused considerable anxiety for the family. Although the decision brought temporary reassurance, they stressed that the parole process itself had been deeply distressing.

Denise has repeatedly spoken about the emotional burden of having to revisit the circumstances surrounding her son’s dєatᩚh whenever Venables’ continued imprisonment is reviewed.

She has also called for changes to the process to provide greater consideration and support for families of victims.

Why the parole panel refused release

The Parole Board considered evidence about Venables’ behaviour, progress in custody and the potential risk he could pose if released.

During the hearing, Venables reportedly said he was not seeking release and acknowledged that he still had work to do while in prison.

The panel recognised that he had completed considerable work during his time in custody. However, it remained concerned about his continuing 𝘴єxual preoccupation, the potential risk of returning to viewing indecent images of children and the possibility of further offending.

Concerns were also raised about his cooperation and honesty with probation professionals.

Although professionals considered his expressions of remorse to be genuine, the panel concluded that he was not suitable for release at this stage.

The hearing was held in private after an application for a public hearing was refused because of concerns about safety.

A history of recalls to prison

Venables and Robert Thompson were released on licence in 2001 after serving time for James’s murder. Because of their ages at the time of the crime, they were given new identities.

However, Venables was later returned to prison.

In 2010, he was recalled after child 𝘴єxual 𝘢bu𝘴e images were discovered. He was released again in August 2013, but was recalled for a second time in November 2017.

In February 2018, he pleaded guilty to offences involving the making of indecent images of children and possessing a paedophile manual. He received a further prison sentence and has remained in custody since.

A previous parole review in 2023 also concluded that he should not be released.

The fight for James’s memory continues

For Denise, the latest decision does not bring an end to the pain of losing her son. It offers a measure of reassurance while the family continues to live with the consequences of a tᩚraɢedy that changed their lives forever.

The next parole review is expected in approximately two years, although an exact date has not been announced.

Denise’s representatives have called for greater protection and support for bereaved families throughout the parole process, including consideration of longer intervals between reviews where legally possible.

James was just two years old when his life was taken. More than three decades later, his name remains deeply embedded in Britain’s collective memory.

For his mother, every parole review brings back the same devastating loss — and the same determination to ensure that James is never forgotten.