Jon Venables to ‘fight decision’ to keep him in jail as James Bulger’s dad reveals ‘mental torture’
CHILD killer Jon Venables has vowed to fight a Parole Board decision to keep him in jail – heaping more misery on his victim James Bulger’s family.
Venables, 41, erupted in fury at last week’s ruling and insisted the expert panel had made the “wrong call”.
And the fiend has 21 days to lodge an appeal after last Wednesday’s ruling – meaning James’ family, who opposed his release cannot fully relax over Christmas.
James’ dad Ralph today told of the “mental torture” he faces everyday.
Speaking on TalkTV, he said: “I’m glad he’s being kept in. The public’s a bit more safe for two years. It’s a bit of a result.
“It’s just two years of not having to worry about him.”
“He knows how to lie to them. He was taught to lie to hide this identity so he knows what he’s doing.”
It comes after Venables “went mad” at the recent decision and to keep him caged.
A source told The Sun: “He was ranting and raving and promising to appeal and insisting he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
“He does have the right to appeal, and knows as well as anyone how to exploit his rights.
“However the Parole Board’s verdict was pretty strong – and found that he was not rehabilitated at all and still posed a danger.
“Given his background, most sane people would agree with the decision.
“So, while James’ family cannot fully rest easy, they will take solace in in thinking Venables is likely to be laughed out of court in an appeal.
“But they have been put through enough to know that anything can happen in this case.”
The Parole Board ruling on Venables – freed in 2001 but twice recalled to jail over child abuse images – found the public would not be safe if he was released.
Experts also found he had “continuing issues of sexual pre-occupation”.
James’ Mum Denise Fergus – separated from Ralph – told of her “pure relief and elation” at the verdict.
Venables could now have any release blocked by the Justice Secretary when the new Victims and Prisoners Bill gets through parliament – expected in May.
Our source added: “That may be why he wants to appeal as he knows he’s in the last chance saloon.
“It just means the family’s fight might not be over and they could face more worry and anguish.”
We told last month how Venables – who abducted and killed James with accomplice Robert Thompson in 1993 – did not appear at his parole hearing. His no-show came although it was held in private to protect his mental health.
Venables and Thompson were both 10 when they abducted James from a Merseyside shopping centre and killed him in a crime that horrified Britain. The tortured tot’s body was found by a railway line two days later.
They were both jailed after a Crown Court trial but released under new identities in 2001 – having been held at young offenders’ institutions.
Venables was hauled back to jail in 2010 for possessing child abuse images.
He was freed but then recalled in 2017 for hoarding more abuse images and possessing a “paedophile manual”. He was refused parole in 2020.
A Parole Board spokesman declined to comment but confirmed Venables has 21 days to appeal.