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James Bulger killer could be freed within weeks, victim’s father says

One of James Bulger’s killers could soon be released from prison with a new identity, the murdered child’s father has said.

Ralph Bulger said the “predatory killer” formerly known as Jon Venables will be eligible for parole within weeks.

Two-year-old James Bulger was tortured and killed by Venables and Robert Thompson, who were both aged 10, after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

“Venables is up for parole any time now, and if it is granted he will be released into the community under a fake name and secret new identity,” Mr Bulger told the Daily Mirror.

“He is a dangerous, predatory child abuser and killer, and I am terrified he will strike again and harm another child like my James.”

Venables and Thompson were jailed for life, but released on licence with new identities in 2001.

Venables, 36, was returned to prison in 2010 and 2017 for possessing indecent images of children. He is currently serving a 40-month sentence, half of which will have been served in October.

The Daily Mirror reports that a parole hearing will follow at a date to be determined by the Ministry of Justice.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice declined to comment.

A Parole Board spokesperson said a review had not yet been referred to them: “The parole review of Jon Venables has not been referred to the Parole Board.”

Mr Bulger said he had warned against Venables’ release in 2013 but the parole board were “hoodwinked” into thinking the killer was reformed.

“He wasn’t, and he went on to commit more crimes. He has proven he will never be rehabilitated and will always remain a danger to children,” he said.

“I don’t believe he will stop until he has killed again.”

He added: “The parole board have the power to prevent him having the chance to harm young children again.”

Earlier this year, James Bulger’s family lost a legal battle to make information about Venables public.

In a ruling announced in March, the judge said the lifelong anonymity order had to remain in place to avoid the killer being “put to death”.