The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has demanded that the upcoming parole hearing for her son's killer, Jon Venables, be held in public. Denise Fergus has argued that a public hearing would help the public understand the process and combat what she described as "disinformation" that has "retraumatised" her family.
Venables, now 43, was 10 years old when he and Robert Thompson, also 10, killed two-year-old James Bulger in 1993. He was first released on licence in 2001 but was recalled to prison twice after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children in 2010 and 2017.
Venables had a parole bid denied in 2023, but in January this year, Ms Fergus was informed he would have another opportunity to argue his case. A date for the hearing has not yet been set. The Parole Board confirmed it has received an application from Ms Fergus and her partner, Stuart Fergus, arguing for an open hearing due to the public interest in the case.
The couple stated that Venables' further convictions as an adult are an "exceptional feature" supporting their argument for a public hearing. Venables and his legal team are able to make representations regarding the application, and other members of the public can submit their views before 14 August.