Jon Venables, the child killer who was convicted of torturing and murdering two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, has been denied parole by the Parole Board. Despite Venables’ progress while in custody and on licence, the panel was not convinced that his release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public. A statement from the Parole Board explained the risks and doubted Venables’ ability to be open and honest with professionals. The panel also noted that there remains a need for him to address outstanding levels of risk, and to develop his relationship with his probation officer.
Earlier in the year, Venables’ hearing was delayed several times and was later held behind closed doors in November. Venables was imprisoned alongside Robert Thompson in 1993 when they were both just 10 years old. Their crime shocked the world and led to widespread media attention, resulting in a life-long legal order to protect their identities.
Venables was initially released on licence in 2001 but was recalled to prison in 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer. He was again released in 2013 but recalled in 2017 for the same offence. The Parole Board has not considered his case since September 2020, but at this moment, his release was not deemed safe for the public.
As per the legal order, Venables and Thompson’s identities remain protected, and thereby the chair of the Parole Board of England and Wales chose not to hold his parole hearing in public. Therefore James Bulger’s family was not allowed to attend.
Venables’ case has attracted global attention, and this latest decision by the Parole Board is likely to be greeted with relief by James Bulger’s family and the wider public. The board has made its decision clear, and the public will certainly hope that every possible measure will be taken to ensure the safety of the public
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