Harley Young
Child killer Jon Venables, now aged 40, is seeking a parole hearing to secure his release, which could take place within weeks.
Venables was one of two young boys who murdered two-year-old James Bulger in Bootle, Merseyside back in February 1993.
The pair had kidnapped the toddler from a local shopping centre before committing horrific acts of torture and ultimately killing him.
Venables and his accomplice, Robert Thompson, were just 10 years old when they committed the horrendous crime and were both released from prison on licence with new identities on 2001.
Advert
However, after being caught for possessing indecent images of children, Venables was sent back to prison both in 2010 and 2017. He was also arrested for his involvement in a drunken brawl and for being in possession of cocaine.
Venables is currently serving a 40-month jail term for the possession of indecent pictures of children and passed the halfway point in October 2022 but 'Westminster turmoil' prevented him from securing a parole hearing before Christmas.
Under current legislation, the child killer is entitled to another parole hearing within two years of his last bid, made in September 2022.
A source told The Sun Venables has a 'strong chance' of being released soon.
Advert
Understandably, James Bulger's father Ralph is distraught at the news, telling The Sun: "If Venables is walking around as a free man as we mark 30 years of losing our beautiful boy, it would be the ultimate betrayal."
Ralph Bulger has also asked for Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to use his power and status to challenge any chance of Venables' return to society which could be dangerous for the public, commenting that Venables is a risk to society and a continued threat to children.
Ralph Bulger said: "Mr Raab has pledged to crack down on the most dangerous criminals in this country.
"Venables should be top of that list and never see daylight again."
Advert
Mr Bulger added: “We know that Venables will never be rehabilitated.
“He is very sick and dangerous.
"This is a fully-grown killer paedophile the authorities want to release back into the community without anyone knowing who he is.”
Bravely, Mr Bulger has said that he wishes to attend any parole hearing for Venables and that a hearing could be held as early as the start of 2023.
Mr Bulger added: "I’m bracing for the worst news because I’ve no trust left in the warped system of this country. But Dominic Raab can change that."
Advert
James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus is also in agreement with urging the government to block Venable's release.
LADbible has contacted the Ministry of Justice for an comment.