Child killer Jon Venables could walk free from prison in weeks despite pleas from James Bulger’s dad to keep him inside
EVIL Jon Venables will get a parole hearing in weeks — despite desperate pleas from his victim’s father to keep him locked up.
Sources say the monster, 40, has a “strong chance” of going free because of his “positive” progress inside.
Two-year-old victim James Bulger was killed in February 1993.
His dad Ralph told The Sun: “If Venables is walking around as a free man as we mark 30 years of losing our beautiful boy, it would be the ultimate betrayal.”
Last night he urged the Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to challenge any possible release.
He said: “Mr Raab has pledged to crack down on the most dangerous criminals in this country.
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“Venables should be top of that list and never see daylight again.”
His pleas have been echoed by his ex-wife, James’ mum Denise Fergus
Venables was recalled to jail for a second time in 2017 for hoarding nearly 1,200 child abuse images.
Ralph wants to attend any hearing under the terms of a Parole Board shake-up.
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He has been warned to expect a date in “early 2023”.
The Sun told earlier this year how reports, including the views of prison officers, psychiatrists and even Venables himself, had been drawn up to form a highly sensitive dossier.
The Parole Board is now assessing that file.
It must first decide whether to hold a full oral hearing and seek evidence from witnesses, or just assess the case on the documents in front of them.
Sources say Venables’ notoriety, and history of repeat offending means an oral hearing is a “racing certainty” in this case.
He will be offered the chance to appear before the panel.
'Sick and dangerous'
But Ralph added: “We know that Venables will never be rehabilitated.
“He is very sick and dangerous.
"This is a fully-grown killer paedophile the authorities want to release back into the community without anyone knowing who he is.”
New powers allowing ministers to block the release of dangerous prisoners in the interest of public safety have not yet come into effect but are a “government priority”, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Venables and pal Robert Thompson were ten when they abducted, tortured and murdered James in Merseyside.
Both were released in June 2001 with new identities and on lifelong licence after being ruled they were no longer a danger to the public.
Venables has twice been recalled to jail for having vile images of kids.
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Ralph said: “I’m bracing for the worst news because I’ve no trust left in the warped system of this country.
"But Dominic Raab can change that.”
TIMELINE OF A MONSTER
February 12 1993: James Bulger, aged two, is taken from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.
February 14: His body is found by railway line.
February 18: Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both ten, arrested.
November 24, 1993: Pair are convicted of murder and detained indefinitely.
January 2001: Killers win unprecedented lifelong anonymity.
June 2001: They are freed under new identities.
September 2008: Venables arrested on suspicion of affray.
Charges were dropped. He was cautioned for possessing cocaine.
March 2010: Venables jailed again — for two years — after admitting possession and distribution of child abuse images.
2011: Venables given another new identity.
September 2013: He is released from prison.
November 2017: Venables recalled to jail after being caught with indecent images of children.
February 2018: He is jailed for 40 months after admitting possessing more than 1,000 vile images and a paedophile manual.
2020: After serving half his sentence, Venables was refused parole.