Last month James’s separated parents Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger won the right to attend the hearing

James Bulger's 'cowardly' killer will refuse to attend his own parole hearing if toddler's family are there

JAMES Bulger’s killer Jon Venables will refuse to be at his parole hearing if the murdered toddler’s family are there.

The coward plans to stay in his cell and give video-link or written evidence in his latest bid for freedom.

Jon Venables mugshot from February 20, 1993.

Killer Jon Venables will refuse to attend his parole hearing if James Bulger’s family are thereCredit: Getty Images – Getty

James Bulger smiling.
James’s separated parents Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger won the right to attend the hearing last monthCredit: PA:Press Association
We told last month how James’s separated parents Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger had won the right to attend and give victim impact statements.

Venables, 43, was ten when he and Robert Thompson abducted and murdered two-year-old James on Merseyside in 1993.

He was freed in 2001 after serving eight years, but recalled to jail in 2010 and 2017 over child abuse images.

He is due a parole hearing next month.

A source said: “Denise and her husband Stuart, plus James’s dad, Ralph, have every right to be there.

“But Venables has told officials there is no way he will attend if they are there.

“This just goes to show what a manipulative coward Venables is.

“But the good thing is that a no-show from him will likely harm his chances of being freed.”

Venables was refused parole in 2020.

It was refused again in 2023 after it was ruled he was still a danger.

Experts heard the paedophile had “continuing issues of sexual pre-occupation”.

James’s family were barred from attending and their statements were read by officials.

Denise, 57, and Ralph, 59, have campaigned for him to stay behind bars.

The Parole Board and the Ministry of Justice did not comment.