James Bulger’s mother has celebrated the news that her son’s killer Jon Venables will spend two more years in jail.
The 41-year-old killer missed last week’s deadline to appeal against a decision from the parole board to keep him behind bars.
Venables had 21 days to submit an appeal after a ruling in December found that he remained a danger to children and could not be trusted outside of jail.
He was just 10 when he and another boy took James from a shopping centre and tortured and killed him before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line in 1993.
James’ mother Denise Fergus, 54, expressed her relief that Venables will be kept behind bars as she told The Mirror: ‘This is the best way to start the year’.
James Bulger’s Denise Fergus, 54, mother (pictured) has celebrated the news that her son’s killer Jon Venables will spend two more years in jail
Venables (pictured in 1993) missed last week’s deadline to appeal against a decision from the parole board to keep him behind bars
He was just 10 when he and another boy took James (pictured) from a shopping centre and tortured and killed him before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line in 1993
Denise added: ‘It is huge for us and for other families who could go through what we did if this person was released.
‘To hear that he has now missed the window in which he can appeal, gives us our life back for another two years at least knowing nothing he can do can affect our life or that of others.
‘It allows us space to breathe and to focus on the happiness in our lives.’
Venables reportedly ‘went mad, shouting and screaming’ following the parole board’s decision to reject his parole bid last month.
In making their decision, the board said they were concerned Venables has ‘continuing issues of sexual preoccupation’ and were ‘not satisfied’ he was safe to be back on the streets.
He was granted a private two-day parole hearing after it was ruled it would ‘harm his mental health’ if it took place in public, but he did not attend to give evidence in person.
Venables’ parole bid already sparked controversy after it emerged that he skipped giving evidence during the two-day hearing to prevent ‘disproportionate emotional stress.’
James Bulger’s father Ralph spoke out about the parole board’s decision on TalkTv
The pair kidnapped and tortured James (pictured), before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line 30 years ago
James’ father Ralph Bulger and his uncle Jimmy Bulger said in a joint statement following the parole board’s decision in December that they were ‘relieved at the decision’.
They added that Venables’ continued offending after his release ‘had a traumatic impact on us’.
It was reported previously that James’ family had written to the Parole Board over suggestions that one of their son’s killers could be released.
A family source had said: ‘The family has written to the decision makers, saying they believe Venables is a danger to the public and to children, and that he needs to be kept locked up.’
The insider went on to say that it should be ‘a cut and dry case’ and that were was no need for extra time to debate if ‘monster’ Venables should be released.
Venables and fellow 10-year-old Robert Thompson horrified Britain when they snatched toddler James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.
The pair kidnapped and tortured James, before leaving his mutilated body by a railway line 30 years ago.
The child killers were convicted of murder in November 1993 and detained indefinitely.
The pair were released aged 18 in 2001 after just eight years and given new identities. Thompson has not reoffended.
Venables and fellow 10-year-old Robert Thompson (pictured) horrified Britain when they snatched toddler James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside
Following his released in 2001, Venables was recalled to prison twice, in 2010 and 2017, having been found to be in possession of indecent images of children.
Venables was turned down for parole in 2020 after serving his minimum 40 months.
After his 2001 release he was given a new name and was given parole conditions including informing his parole officer if he ever got a job and getting their permission before leaving the UK.
He had to regularly see a forensic psychologist and was banned from contacting Robert Thompson or any member of James Bulger’s family.
He also had to ask his parole officer for permission to leave Merseyside, stay overnight in the same house as a child under 16 or spend time with anyone under 12.