The family of murdered toddler James Bulger has reportedly been left devastated after learning that Jon Venables, one of the two killers convicted over the two-year-old’s death, is due to face a private parole hearing next month despite calls for the proceedings to be held in public.
Venables, now 44, was just 10 years old when he and Robert Thompson abducted and murdered James in Liverpool in 1993. More than three decades later, the latest decision over Venables’ parole review has reignited concerns among James’s loved ones about transparency and whether their voices are being heard.
According to The Sun, the parole hearing will take place behind closed doors, with officials arguing that a public proceeding could hinder Venables’ ability to give evidence.
James Bulger’s family reportedly furious over decision
James’s parents, Ralph and Denise Bulger, are said to be “angry beyond belief” and deeply disappointed that the hearing will not be open to the public.
A source close to the family criticised the decision, claiming that Venables’ interests appeared to have been prioritised over those of the victims.
“This is an outrageous decision, and yet again Venables seems to be being put first ahead of the victims,” the source said.
The source added that the family had believed there was a clear public interest in allowing the hearing to take place openly.
“They are devastated by this decision and felt there was a clear public interest in this being in public,” the source continued.
The family also reportedly fears what the decision could mean for the outcome of the review, saying they feel let down and that their concerns have once again gone unheard.
These comments reflect the family’s reported reaction to the decision, rather than an independently established assessment of the parole process.
Why Jon Venables is facing another parole review
Venables and Thompson were convicted of James’s murder following the toddler’s abduction from the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.
The case shocked Britain, and both boys were sentenced to detention during Her Majesty’s Pleasure, the sentence then used for children convicted of murder.
Thompson was released in 2001 and has lived under a new identity. Venables, however, has returned to prison on multiple occasions.
He was twice recalled to custody over child sexual abuse images and was refused parole in 2023.
His latest review will consider whether he can safely be released, with the decision resting with the parole authorities.
The proceedings are subject to strict confidentiality and anonymity protections. Venables has a lifelong anonymity order intended to prevent the public disclosure of his current identity.
Family allowed to participate, but not in person
James’s parents had previously secured the right to attend the parole review and read victim impact statements, giving them an opportunity to explain the continuing consequences of their son’s murder.
However, according to the report, Ralph and Denise will only be able to listen remotely during the proceedings. Venables’ identity will remain protected under the existing anonymity order.
The arrangement has added to the family’s reported frustration, particularly given their desire for a public hearing.
Supporters of open parole proceedings argue that transparency can help maintain public confidence in decisions involving serious crimes. In Venables’ case, however, parole officials have reportedly maintained that a public hearing could interfere with his evidence.
A case that continues to affect the family decades later
James was abducted from the Bootle Strand shopping centre in 1993 before being taken away and murdered by Venables and Thompson. The case became one of Britain’s most widely remembered child murder cases.
Although Thompson has been released and continues to live under a protected identity, Venables has remained subject to repeated scrutiny because of his recalls to prison and unsuccessful parole bid.
For Ralph and Denise Bulger, the latest decision represents another painful development in a case that has shaped their lives for more than 30 years.
The central question now is whether Venables will be granted release following his upcoming parole review. The hearing’s outcome had not been established in the supplied report, and no decision on his release should be assumed before the review concludes.