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.

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”.

The ruling added: "It noted the risks as set out above, 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."

Read more on the case

KILLER NO SHOW

James Bulger's killer skips parole hearing 'to protect his mental health'

FATHER'S 'INTUITION'

How tip-off led police to catching James Bulger's killer 30 years ago

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

Kym Morris, a spokeswoman for Denise, 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."

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

Most read in The Sun

ANNUS HARRYBILIS

Harry & Meg crowned ‘biggest losers’ by showbiz bible after moaning rants

STRICTLY DONE

Strictly star deals huge snub to the show & will not appear in the finale

DENTED DREAMS

Devastating reason for Grace Dent’s mysterious I’m A Celeb exit revealed

CRUCIAL CLUES

Mystery over mum’s disappearance as clothes found in ‘various locations’

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 Mirror: "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 little James 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

kitchen heat

I’m A Celeb’s Fred Sirieix reignites Josie feud as he brutally slams her AGAIN

PETROL HEADS

Our energy bill is £5 living in a van – petrol costs barely make a dent

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.”

Source: Read Full Article