James Bulger’s killer, Jon Venables, has reportedly been granted a new parole hearing, meaning he could be out of prison within weeks.
Venables received life imprisonment for murdering the two-year-old in 1993, but was released in 2001 under licence conditions with a new identity.
At the age of 40, however, he was sent back to prison after being convicted of possessing indecent images of children.
However, it looks like this will be another chance of freedom for Venables, who is reportedly serving his time at HMP Frankland, County Durham.
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Both the mum and dad of James Bulger are said to have written statements opposing his release.
According to The Sun, a source said: “Venables is buoyant as he believes this is his best, and possibly his last, chance of freedom.
“He has got the official confirmation and has been working on his presentation to the parole panel.”
However, a separate source has said it is incredibly unlikely that Venables will be released. One of the many reasons being that he has clearly not been rehabilitated, despite spending a large proportion of his life in jail.
Two-year-old Bulger was abducted and murdered by Venables and Robert Thompson who were both 10, in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993.
The Justice Secretary is planning to get the power to stop repeat offenders from being free within the Victims and Prisoners Bill early next year.
The Parole Board have said they are 'following standard procedures' with Venables’ review.
In 2018, Venables was sentenced to 40 months after pleading guilty to having indecent images of children and a paedophile manual.
A spokesman for Denise Fergus, Bulger's mum, said she faced a 'horrendous ordeal' after listening to the 'vile behaviour of her son’s killer'.
Mr Justice Edis, who sentenced Venables, said in court: “This case is unique because when you were 10 years old, you took part in the brutal murder and torture of James Bulger. That was a crime which revolted the nation and which continues to do so, even after the 25 years that have passed since it happened.
“The facts of what you did are notorious and there is no need for me to repeat them here.”
The judge has said the images that were found to be downloaded by Venables were 'heartbreaking'.
LADbible has contacted the Ministry of Justice for comment.
Mia Williams