James Bulger's killer Jon Venables is facing the possibility of life in jail under a new law.
The upcoming bill, which is yet to get royal assent, means Venables' fate could lie with the Secretary of State instead of a Parole Board. He was jailed indefinitely with Robert Thompson when they were both ten-years-old after they snatched little James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993.
James was tortured and killed in a crime that shocked the whole nation. Venables and Thompson were jailed as the country's youngest ever murderers.
In 2001, the Parole Board recommended their release before Venables returned to jail in 2010 for breaching the terms of his licence. The Mirror reports that he was again jailed seven years later for possessing child sex abuse images.
Now, The Victims and Prisoners Bill could potentially see him remain there indefinitely. The law would change the rules around a number of aspects of the criminal justice system - but crucially affects the releases of criminals who have committed certain crimes.
Under section 32ZAB, a number of offenders are referred to the Secretary of State for release, this includes murderers. If the law comes into action before Venables’ next parole hearing, which the Mirror understands does not yet have a date set, it could mean the Justice Secretary would hold power over his release.
Venables spending life behind bars remains a hypothetical for now though, with no date set for his parole hearing and the bill yet to get royal assent. But if it goes through, it could become a very real possibility for the sick murderer.
The Sun reported that Venables is said to be “terrified” as his parole hearings keep being delayed.
They reported a source who said: “The family are thrilled by Venables’ fading freedom hopes. They know his planned parole hearing has been put back. Even if his next hearing happens before its passed, it would be surprising if he’s let out as his previous releases have been deeply unsuccessful.
“He was denied parole in 2020 and he is probably worried that he will never be able to taste freedom again.”
Venables is currently serving a 40-month jail sentence and passed the halfway point for that last October. When they were previously released they were given new identities. Venables is being held at a category-A jail in northern England.
The Ministry of Justice did not comment.
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