A bid by Jon Venables to be released from prison has been rejected by the Parole Board just days after he claimed he was ‘completely rehabilitated’.
The murderer, who was one of two boys jailed for the horrific killing of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, had his application rejected after officials said they believed he was still dangerous.
The now 41-year-old was originally released from prison in 2001 but has since been returned behind bars twice for making sexual images of children.
He had been granted a private two-day parole hearing after it was ruled it would ‘harm his mental health’ if it took place in public, but still declined to turn up.
The news of his continued stay behind bars was greeted with joy by James’s mum, Denis Fergus, who a spokesperson said was ‘celebrating’ the decision.
Jon Venables, pictured here in his mugshot, was just 10 year’s old when he brutally murdered toddler James Bulger in 1993
Kim Morris, who speaks on behalf of Ms Fergus, told the Mirror: ‘This is the day Denise has waited for years.
‘The prospect of him coming out was terrifying as we knew he’d harm again.
‘This is a day we celebrate and we thank the parole board for making the correct decision.’
More to follow…