James Bulger's killer to stay in prison after parole hearing

Image source, Merseyside Police

Jon Venables has been jailed twice since he was released for the 1993 murder of James Bulger

Child killer Jon Venables will remain behind bars after he told a Parole Board panel that he should stay in prison.

Venables tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 after he and Robert Thompson, both then aged 10, snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

He told parole staff dealing with his latest review, which took place in private, that he was not seeking release.

A summary of the panel’s findings said: “At the outset of the hearing, Mr Venables submitted an opening statement to the effect that he accepted the need to undertake further offending work in custody and so was not seeking release.”

‘Concerns expressed’

The panel considered evidence from probation officers based in the prison and in the community, three psychologists and a psychiatrist.

All bar one concluded that he should remain in prison.

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

He was once again freed in August 2013 and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence.

Parole judges considered his case again in September 2020.

In the latest review, a “victim personal statement which clearly conveyed the devastating impact of Mr Venables’ crime and the impact of his offending” was heard by the panel.

Panel members found there were concerns about how well Venables would work with probation staff were he to be released and “how open and honest he would be in supervision”.

They said there was “a need for further work in custody to address his sexual interests”.

The summary went on: “Mr Venables articulated his protracted and extreme remorse for his crime. Professionals assessed this to be genuine and sincere.”

Panel members decided that they were “not satisfied that Mr Venables was suitable for release”.

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