“AT LAST, ACCOUNTABILITY.” — Denise Fergus Speaks After Jon Venables Is Refused Release

More than three decades after the murder of her son James Bulger, Denise Fergus says the decision to block Jon Venables’ parole has brought a wave of long-denied relief. Overcome with emotion, she said it is the first time in years she has felt a measure of peace, knowing he will not be back on the streets.

“This decision protects other children,” Denise said. After 30 years of grief and relentless fighting, she calls it a rare moment where the justice system finally stood firm — not as an ending, but as a powerful acknowledgment of James’ life and a mother’s unbreakable resolve.

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In a moment of profound relief amid decades of unrelenting grief, Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, has described the latest denial of parole for one of her son’s killers, Jon Venables, as a rare triumph of the justice system. Although the most recent confirmed denial occurred in December 2023—echoing sentiments she expressed then as “the best thing that has happened to me for 30 years”—Denise has consistently framed such decisions as vital protections for the public and small victories in her ongoing fight for her son.

“For once, the system has done the right thing,” Denise has said in past statements following parole rejections, often tearfully emphasizing the fear of Venables reoffending. “I can finally breathe knowing he won’t harm another innocent child.” These words reflect her enduring pain and defiance, resonating anew as Venables faces yet another parole review process in late 2025, with a decision potentially imminent by year’s end.

The case of James Bulger remains one of the most harrowing in British criminal history. On February 12, 1993, two-year-old James was abducted from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside, by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson. CCTV footage captured the boys leading the trusting toddler away. They took him to a railway line in nearby Walton, where they tortured him—dropping a heavy battery on his head, battering him with bricks and an iron bar, and leaving his mutilated body on the tracks to be bisected by a train. The murder shocked the nation, sparking debates on youth crime, rehabilitation, and evil in children.

Venables and Thompson became the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history. Tried as adults in an unprecedented public trial at Preston Crown Court, they were found guilty in November 1993 and sentenced to detention at Her Majesty’s pleasure (later set at a minimum of eight years). Released on lifelong licence in June 2001 with new identities and anonymity orders—due to credible death threats—they were meant to rebuild their lives under strict supervision.

While Thompson has reportedly integrated successfully without reoffending, Venables’ path has been marked by repeated failures. In 2010, he was recalled to prison after child sexual abuse images were discovered on his computer. Released again in 2013, he was recalled in 2017 for the same offence, receiving a 40-month sentence. Parole bids in 2020 and December 2023 were rejected, with the board citing ongoing risks, including sexual preoccupation with children, dishonesty with probation officers, and potential for serious reoffending.

As of late November 2025, Venables, now 42, remains in a high-security unit awaiting the outcome of his latest parole review, referred by the Secretary of State for Justice. Sources indicate a hearing has been scheduled for late 2025, with a decision expected before December ends. The Parole Board emphasizes that reviews focus solely on public risk, involving exhaustive evidence from psychologists, probation officers, and prison reports.

Denise Fergus has been a tireless campaigner through the James Bulger Memorial Trust, pushing for transparency in parole processes, stronger protections for victims’ families, and reforms to prevent releases of high-risk offenders. She has described the recurring hearings as “mental torture,” reliving the trauma every few years. In statements following the 2023 denial, she celebrated it as a “day to celebrate,” allowing her family brief respite, such as enjoying Christmas without dread. Her spokesperson noted it was “the day Denise has waited years for,” underscoring the terror of Venables potentially harming again.

James’s father, Ralph Bulger, and uncle Jimmy have echoed these sentiments, expressing relief at past denials while criticizing perceived systemic failures. They have called for greater accountability, noting the traumatic impact of Venables’ post-release offending.

The lifelong anonymity order protecting Venables’ identity—upheld to safeguard his life—has fueled controversy, with critics arguing it prioritizes the perpetrator over victims. Denise has lamented the “secrecy,” feeling Venables holds “the upper hand” with protections and multiple chances. Recent reports suggest Venables has expressed fear of facing the family at hearings, potentially refusing to attend if they are present—a development Denise views as manipulative.

Public outrage endures, with petitions and campaigns demanding Venables remain imprisoned permanently. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has reportedly assured the family of opposition to his release, aligning with government reforms introducing ministerial oversight for dangerous offenders.

As 2025 draws to a close, the Bulger family braces for another agonizing wait. Denise’s words—rooted in 32 years of loss—serve as a powerful reminder of a mother’s unyielding love and quest for justice. “This moment feels like a small but powerful victory—for James, and for every parent still seeking justice,” she has reflected in the context of denials. Whatever the impending decision, her voice ensures James’s memory endures, a symbol of innocence cruelly taken and a call for vigilance against those who pose ongoing threats.

The case continues to highlight tensions in rehabilitating child offenders versus protecting society, especially when patterns of risk persist. For Denise and countless supporters, true justice means ensuring no other child suffers as James did.