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JAMES Bulger's evil killer Jon Venables will STAY in prison after his bid for freedom was rejected.

The monster faced an appeal to determine if he could be released from jail after he was locked up for possessing child abuse images.

Jon Venables launched a bid for freedom
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Jon Venables launched a bid for freedomCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The monster murdered James Bulger in 1993
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The monster murdered James Bulger in 1993Credit: PA:Press Association

Venables will not be released from jail following the behind-closed-doors hearing.

He had claimed he was "completely rehabilitated" as he made his controversial bid for freedom.

But the Parole Board ruled it was “not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public”.

Venables could still face a further review in around two years' time under current legislation.

Read more on the case

However, the proposed Victims and Prisoners Bill means the Justice Secretary would be in charge of his fate - meaning he may stay behind bars forever if the law is passed before then.

The parole ruling said it "doubted Mr Venables' ability to be open and honest with professionals, and concluded that there remained a need for him to address outstanding levels of risk, and to develop his relationship with his probation officer".

James' mum Denise Fergus welcomed the news and thanked the panel for "making the correct decision".

Kym Morris, a spokeswoman for Denise, told : "This is the day Denise has waited for years.

"The prospect of him coming out was terrifying as we knew he'd harm again."

James' dad Ralph Bulger previously slammed the killer for missing the hearing in a bid to protect his mental health.

It meant Venables was able to dodge listening to victim impact statements from the two-year-old's family, including Ralph's.

Ralph, 57, said: “How can these people even consider releasing Venables from jail if he isn’t made to face up to the reality of the vile crimes he has committed?

"How can they not insist he hears what I have to say?

“It’s part of my healing that I get to tell him the way it has affected me and my family.

"It’s just so twisted that we are the ones hurting for the rest of our lives, but he is the one who continues to be protected.”

James' mum Denise Fergus also expressed her fury at the private hearing, which meant she was unable to attend.

She appealed directly to the Parole Board, saying she would "crumble" if her son's killer was allowed back on the streets.

Addressing the board directly, she told the : "Look into my eyes and see what I’ve had to deal with for 30 years – three decades of hell. Keep people safe from this monster, because that is what he is, and don’t give him what he wants.

“If he goes on to commit more crimes after you release him, it will be on your shoulders. So, I’m just asking you to do the right thing.”

Venables and pal Robert Thompson shocked the nation in 1993 when, aged just ten, they abducted and mutilated  in Bootle, Merseyside.

They took James to a railway line and tortured, beat and sexually assaulted him.

In November that year, the pair were found guilty of abducting and murdering James - making them the youngest convicted murderers in Britain for 250 years.

Despite huge opposition, both were released under strict conditions in 2001 and given new identities at a cost of millions to the taxpayer.

Thompson has not re-offended since being released on licence when he was 18 years old.

But Venables has been recalled to jail twice since he was first released.

In 2010, he was caged for three years for possessing indecent images of children.

The killer then returned to jail in November 2017 after further sickening images were found.

Read More on The Sun

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, said: “James Bulger’s barbaric murder was a crime that shocked the nation and I welcome the Parole Board’s decision to keep his killer behind bars.

“Public protection is our number one priority which is why I opposed Jon Venables’ release and this Government is reforming the parole system to introduce a stronger ministerial check on the release of the most dangerous offenders.”

James' mum Denise had slammed the private parole hearing
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James' mum Denise had slammed the private parole hearingCredit: PA:Press Association/PA Images
Venables and Thompson led James away from his mum in a shopping centre
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Venables and Thompson led James away from his mum in a shopping centreCredit: Getty
The youngster was tortured to death
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The youngster was tortured to deathCredit: Getty
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