Jon Venables, one of the child killers of toddler James Bulger, has been granted parole after he was sent back to jail for accessing child pornography, UK sources revealed yesterday.
Venables, now in his 30s, had his parole revoked in 2010 and was jailed for two years after admitting downloading and distributing indecent images of children.
Earlier this year James’s mother, Denise Fergus, and father, Ralph Bulger, both addressed Venables’s parole hearing and pushed for him to remain in prison.
Sources have told the Press Association the decision has gone against the toddler’s parents and Venables has been granted parole. A spokesman for the Parole Board said they could not comment on individual cases but confirmed that a decision had been made.
Speaking on her official Twitter page, Mrs Fergus said yesterday: “Just don’t believe what I’ve got 2 go through. AGAIN.” Shortly afterwards she posted: “Venables is getting released.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The re-release of life-licensed offenders is directed by the independent Parole Board once they are satisfied they can be safely managed in the community.
“Their life licence lasts for the rest of their lives, and they may be recalled to prison at any time for breaching their licence conditions.
“Additionally, they will be subject to strict controls and restrictions for as long as their risk requires them.”
A spokesman for the Parole Board said: “We’ve had confirmation that all parties have been told and we can confirm that it was a release decision. He will be released.”
This year marked the 20th anniversary of James’s murder. The two-year-old was abducted, tortured and killed by Venables and Robert Thompson in Liverpool.
Venables and classmate Thompson, who were just 10 years old at the time, abducted James from the Bootle Strand shopping centre before carrying out the murder which shocked the nation.
The two boys were jailed for life but released on licence with new identities in 2001.
Venables had his parole revoked in 2010 and was jailed for two years after admitting downloading and distributing indecent images of children.