Jon Venables has had his bid for freedom from prison rejected

Jon Venables' request for parole has been rejected, the Parole Board has said.

In February 1993, Venables and Robert Thompson - who were 10-years-old at the time - kidnapped and murdered James Bulger from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

Venables and Thompson were later arrested and eventually convicted.

Despite being sentenced to life in prison, in 2001, they were both released on license and given new identities.

In 2010 and 2017, Venables was convicted again, this time on possession of indecent images of children and was given a 40-month sentence.

Earlier this year, his request for a parole hearing was granted.

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“An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Jon Venables and is scheduled to take place in November 2023," a spokesperson for the parole board said.

“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community."

The two-day hearing was held behind closed doors as the Parole Board ruled that a public one would cause 'disproportionate emotional stress' for Venables, who is now 41-years-old.

James' family were also not allowed to attend, but victim impact statements were considered.

But a three-page summary of the Parole Board panel’s decision has since rejected the decision to grant Venables parole.

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It said: “After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and on licence, and the evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.

“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.

“By law, Mr Venables will be eligible for another parole review in due course.”

And James' mum, Denise Fergus, welcomed the news that he would remain behind bars, thanking the Parole Board for 'making the correct decision'.

Kym Morris, a spokeswoman for the parent, 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."