‘OVERWHELMING RELIEF’: JAMES BULGER’S MOTHER DENISE FERGUS SPEAKS OUT AFTER JON VENABLES IS REFUSED PAROLE AGAIN
More than 33 years after the murder of her two-year-old son, Denise Fergus has spoken of her overwhelming relief after a Parole Board ruled that Jon Venables must remain behind bars. However, the decision has also renewed her calls for changes to a system that repeatedly forces bereaved families to relive their worst nightmare.
For Denise Fergus, the latest announcement brought a moment of relief she had desperately been waiting for.
Jon Venables, one of the two men convicted of murdering her little boy, James Bulger, in 1993, will remain in prison after a parole panel concluded that he was not suitable for release.
The decision was announced on November 9, 2026, following a private parole hearing.
Venables, now 44, reportedly told the panel at the beginning of the proceedings that he was not seeking release and accepted that he needed to undertake further offending-related work while in custody.
According to the published decision summary, he acknowledged that more work was necessary before he could be considered for release.
For Denise, the outcome brought an enormous sense of reassurance.
Speaking on her behalf, spokesperson Kym Morris said:
“Denise’s overwhelming feeling today is relief.”
She explained that the prospect of Venables being released had caused Denise enormous anxiety, particularly given his history of repeated offending.
Her concerns, however, extend beyond her own family. She also fears for the safety of other children should he ever be released.
WHY THE PAROLE BOARD DECIDED HE MUST REMAIN IN PRISON
The panel considered evidence from prison and community probation officers, three psychologists and a psychiatrist before reaching its decision.
Although Venables had completed considerable rehabilitation work during his time in custody, the panel identified continuing concerns about his risk of reoffending.
The decision summary revealed that he had admitted to a long-term 𝘴єxual interest in children and possessing indecent images of children.
The panel remained concerned about continuing issues involving his 𝘴єxual preoccupation.
It identified potential future risks of him returning to viewing indecent images of children, as well as the possibility of progressing to offences involving direct contact with children.
There were also questions about how effectively he would cooperate with probation officers and whether he would be sufficiently open and honest if released under supervision.
The panel acknowledged that professionals considered his expressions of remorse for the original crime to be genuine and sincere.
However, after examining all the evidence, members concluded that they were not satisfied he was suitable for release.
He will therefore remain behind bars.
THE TRAGIC CASE THAT SHOCKED BRITAIN
The murder of James Bulger remains one of the most disturbing and widely remembered child murder cases in British history.
On February 12, 1993, two-year-old James was taken from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside, by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.
The young boy was led away from his mother while she briefly became separated from him inside the shopping centre.
What followed was a horrific crime that shocked the nation.
James was subjected to a prolonged and brutal assault before his body was discovered on a railway line two days later.
Venables and Thompson were arrested, convicted of his murder and sentenced to detention at Her Majesty’s pleasure, the equivalent of a life sentence for children at the time.
Their trial attracted enormous public attention and became a defining moment in Britain’s criminal justice history.
For Denise and James’s family, however, the case was never simply a national headline. It was the beginning of a lifetime of grief.
RELEASED IN 2001 — THEN TWICE RECALLED TO PRISON
In 2001, Venables and Thompson were released from custody on licence after serving approximately eight years. They were given new identities and lifelong anonymity protections.
However, Venables subsequently returned to prison following further offending.
In February 2010, he was recalled after indecent images of children were discovered on his computer.
He was released again in August 2013, but was recalled for a second time in November 2017 after further offences involving indecent images of children.
In February 2018, he pleaded guilty to offences involving the making of indecent images of children and possession of a paedophile manual. He received a 40-month prison sentence.
He has remained in custody since his latest recall.
A previous parole review in 2023 also concluded that he continued to pose a risk and should not be released.
The latest decision means he will continue serving his sentence while further work is undertaken to address the concerns identified by professionals.
DENISE WANTS THE PAROLE SYSTEM TO CHANGE
Although the latest decision has brought relief, Denise’s family believes the current parole process places an enormous emotional burden on victims’ relatives.
One of their biggest concerns is the repeated cycle of parole reviews.
Each time Venables becomes eligible for consideration, Denise is forced to confront the possibility that the man responsible for her son’s dєatᩚh could eventually walk free.
The family had also wanted the latest hearing to be held publicly, arguing that greater transparency would help them feel that their voices were being heard.
However, the Parole Board rejected the application for a public hearing.
The Board explained that a public hearing could make it very difficult for Venables to give evidence safely, given the risk that people seeking information about his whereabouts could potentially use it to harm him.
Denise’s representatives have now called for changes to the parole process for prisoners serving life sentences.
Their proposals include longer intervals between reviews where legally possible, stronger support for victims’ families and greater recognition of the cumulative emotional trauma caused by repeated proceedings.
They also hope to meet Justice Secretary Alex Norris to discuss possible changes.
Her spokesperson emphasized that the latest decision does not erase the distress of knowing another review will eventually follow.
Within months, Denise will already be facing the emotional challenge of preparing herself for the next stage of the process.
A MOTHER WHO HAS NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING FOR HER SON
For more than three decades, Denise Fergus has continued to speak publicly about James and campaign for changes to the justice system.
She has written about her experiences, spoken about the devastating impact of losing her little boy and repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of victims’ families.
The latest parole decision gives her a temporary sense of peace, but it cannot undo the tᩚraɢedy that changed her life forever.
As her spokesperson explained, Denise and James’s family deserve more than temporary relief before another painful review begins.
For now, Venables remains in prison, and Denise can breathe a little easier.
But her fight for stronger protections and greater consideration for bereaved families continues.
James was only two years old when his life was taken. More than 33 years later, his mother is still making sure that his name is not forgotten.
The decision may bring temporary relief, but for Denise Fergus, the pain of losing James will never truly disappear.
