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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| James Bulger killer Jon Venables to be freed | James Bulger killer Jon Venables to be freed |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| One of James Bulger's killers, Jon Venables, should be released from prison, the parole board has said. | One of James Bulger's killers, Jon Venables, should be released from prison, the parole board has said. |
| Venables was previously paroled, but sent back to jail for accessing child pornography. | Venables was previously paroled, but sent back to jail for accessing child pornography. |
| James's mother Denise Fergus tweeted in response: "Venables is getting released. Just don't believe what I've got to go through again." | |
| Two-year-old James was killed in Bootle in February 1993 by Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10. | Two-year-old James was killed in Bootle in February 1993 by Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10. |
| The toddler was beaten with bricks and iron bars and his body left on a railway line. | The toddler was beaten with bricks and iron bars and his body left on a railway line. |
| It is not clear when the killer will be released. | |
| A parole board statement said: "We've had confirmation that all parties have been told and we can confirm that it was a release decision. He will be released." | A parole board statement said: "We've had confirmation that all parties have been told and we can confirm that it was a release decision. He will be released." |
| 'Reckless decision' | |
| James's father Ralph was "disappointed and dismayed" at the decision, said his solicitor Robin Makin. | James's father Ralph was "disappointed and dismayed" at the decision, said his solicitor Robin Makin. |
| Mr Makin said the parole board had previously decided it was 'not safe' for Jon Venables to be released. | |
| He added: "It is not known what has changed. No reasons for the decision have been given. | |
| "For Ralph and his family the living nightmare continues and is exacerbated by the problems now created by the reckless decision to free Jon Venables without any publicly disclosed safeguards. | |
| "Jon Venables is a sex offender who has murdered once and made it clear when posing as the mother of a child that an 'ultimate thrill' for him was the sexual abuse of a child. | |
| "The authorities have already experimented with Jon Venables living a lie and it did not work." | |
| Solicitor Laurence Lee, who represented Venables's interests during the 1994 murder trial, said: "My heart goes out to Denise Fergus." | Solicitor Laurence Lee, who represented Venables's interests during the 1994 murder trial, said: "My heart goes out to Denise Fergus." |
| But he added: "As a lawyer it is clear that he cannot be kept in prison for ever. He may be released but he will never be at liberty." | But he added: "As a lawyer it is clear that he cannot be kept in prison for ever. He may be released but he will never be at liberty." |
| In May, Ms Fergus attended a parole hearing via videolink from Liverpool to demand a full examination into the killer's past. | In May, Ms Fergus attended a parole hearing via videolink from Liverpool to demand a full examination into the killer's past. |
| 'Indecent images' | 'Indecent images' |
| James's father Ralph also told the hearing it would be "stupid" to free Venables. | James's father Ralph also told the hearing it would be "stupid" to free Venables. |
| Venables was released in 2001 but jailed again in 2010 after admitting downloading and distributing indecent images of children. | Venables was released in 2001 but jailed again in 2010 after admitting downloading and distributing indecent images of children. |
| When he was re-arrested, it emerged that Venables, who was given a new identity on release from prison, had breached his parole conditions by visiting Merseyside. | When he was re-arrested, it emerged that Venables, who was given a new identity on release from prison, had breached his parole conditions by visiting Merseyside. |
| He had developed drug and drink problems, started behaving anti-socially and revealed his real identity to friends. | He had developed drug and drink problems, started behaving anti-socially and revealed his real identity to friends. |
| It was found he downloaded 102 indecent images of children and had been distributing these images. | It was found he downloaded 102 indecent images of children and had been distributing these images. |
| The Ministry of Justice spokesman said re-releasing life-licensed offenders is directed by the parole board which has to be satisfied the offender can "be safely managed in the community". | |
| In a statement the MoJ said: "Their life licence lasts for the rest of their lives, and they may be recalled to prison at any time for breaching their licence conditions. | |
| "Additionally, they will be subject to strict controls and restrictions for as long as their risk requires them." |