Bulger killer gets parole

One of James Bulger's killers, Jon Venables, is to be released from prison.

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  1. National

Father of James Bulger 'filled with terror' over release

The father of James Bulger says the decision to release one of his son's killers from prison "filled him with terror". Speaking through his solicitor, Robin Makin, he added:

"Ralph fears that an innocent person may be mistaken for Jon Venables and be injured or even killed. If such occurs then Ralph will feel guilty of not having done enough to have prevented such an obvious tragedy."

Ralph Bulger, the father of James Bulger Credit: Press Association
  1. National

Ralph Bulger 'dismayed' over Jon Venables' release

Ralph Bulger and the paternal family of James Bulger are disappointed and dismayed to have been advised that the Parole Board have decide to release Jon Venables back into society.

In 2011 the Parole Board determined that it was 'not safe' for Jon Venables to be released. It is not known what has changed. No reasons for the decision have been given.

For Ralph and his family the living nightmare continues and is exacerbated by the problems now created by the reckless decision to free Jon Venables without any publicly disclosed safeguards.

Jon Venables is a sex offender who has murdered once and made it clear when posing as the mother of a child that an 'ultimate thrill' for him was the sexual abuse of a child.

The authorities have already experimented with Jon Venables living a lie and it did not work.

– Robin Makin, Ralph Bulger's solicitor

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James Bulger's father reacts to Venables decision

James Bulger's father Ralph has reacted to a parole board's decision to release his on of his son's killers, Jon Venables.

Through his solicitor, Mr Bulger said:

Ralph Bulger and the paternal family of James Bulger are disappointed and dismayed to have been advised that the Parole Board have decide to release Jon Venables back into society.

In 2011 the Parole Board determined that it was 'not safe' for Jon Venables to be released. It is not known what has changed. No reasons for the decision have been given.

For Ralph and his family the living nightmare continues and is exacerbated by the problems now created by the reckless decision to free Jon Venables without any publicly disclosed safeguards.

Jon Venables is a sex offender who has murdered once and made it clear when posing as the mother of a child that an 'ultimate thrill' for him was the sexual abuse of a child.

The authorities have already experimented with Jon Venables living a lie and it did not work.

Denise Fergus: 'Board have made the wrong decision'

I've been fighting for justice for James for twenty years now and I will continue to do so.

The Parole Board have made the wrong decision. Venables has shown time and again that he cannot be trusted and that he is a danger to the public and himself.

He lies and manipulates people for his own sick ends and I believe the Parole Board have made the wrong decision.

He is still a huge risk and they should not let him out after just three years.

– DENISE FERGUS, JAMES BULGER'S MOTHER

James's mother disturbed by timing of annoucement

I am disturbed that they have handed us this information on the dot of five-o'clock in the afternoon.

I got a call from the Probation Service, but they only told me that the parole has been approved and that preparations are being made for his release.

I have not been told what conditions they are going to impose and even whether he will still be banned from entering the county of Merseyside.

– Denise Fergus, James Bulger's mother
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