Jamie Bulger’s mum is to hear the voice of his killer Jon Venables as he tries to win freedom from jail. The Parole Board will consider his case in the next month, it is expected.
Now, Jamie’s mother Denise will attend the parole showdown, where she will hear the killer’s voice for the first time in more than 30 years, it has been revealed. Parole bosses shared this news with James’ family today, which has left Denise feeling “uncertainty and distress”. She also feels “unimaginable trauma” at the reality of facing Venables, it has been reported.
Kym Morris, a spokeswoman for James’ mum Denise Fergus, told The Mirror: “Today we have been informed that a parole hearing has been granted in relation to John Venables. Once again, Denise Fergus has been forced to confront a process that reopens unimaginable trauma. Denise was hoping for a redirection, with no hearing granted by the MAC, allowing her a measure of peace and protection from further distress. That hope has now been taken away.
“Denise has been informed that her application to observe the hearing has been granted. While this provides her with access to the process, it does not lessen the emotional burden she is being asked to carry, nor does it offer the reassurance or closure she so desperately deserves.
“Instead, Denise now faces yet another prolonged period of uncertainty and distress, with limited clarity around how decisions are being reached or how ongoing risks are being assessed.”
Denise will observe proceedings after being granted unprecedented access for the first time ever. She will be able to see everything apart from Venables’ face, which is to be covered to protect his identity. Denise will be able to hear him speak – something she hasn’t heard since the murder trial 30 years ago, when Venables was a child.
Denise’s victim impact statement is expected to be read out at the hearing to the board. Parole board officials decided that after reviewing written submissions from prison workers, counsellors, psychiatrists and impact statements from members of James’ family, including Denise, it was fair to grant him an oral hearing.