James' mum: I'm disappointed but I'm not surprised

Son's killer to get secret parole hearing

- PAUL BYRNE

JAMES Bulger's mum has told of her disappointment that the toddler's killer Jon Venables will not face a public parole hearing.

Denise Fergus spoke after it was revealed the 40-year-old's legal team feared an open session would cause him "emotional stress".

Venables is serving time for having indecent images of children and has twice been returned to jail for breaching conditions.

He was turned down for parole in September 2020 but has since made a new bid for freedom and is due to face a parole panel next month.

Denise had hoped that would be in public, but his lawyers successfully argued for a secret hearing, which was confirmed yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the 55-year-old said: "Although we are not surprised, Denise is obviously disappointed by this decision, especially considering the fact that Venables has gone on to commit further offences since his first release.

"It is crucial to recognise that his previous actions have demonstrated he is not rehabilitated and therefore as Denise has always said, he poses a great risk to the public and has a clear disregard for the safety of others. All we can do now is pray that the parole board refuses his release and Denise can finally get justice for James."

RISK