Convicted Child Killer Jon Venables Released Again, Given New Identity

Convicted child killer Jon Venables has been released yet again, and given a new identity for his own safety.

Venables is one of Britain’s most notorious child killers. In 1993, he abducted two-year-old James Bulger from a mall in Liverpool, and later beat the toddler to death with an accomplice, schoolmate Robert Thompson. They dumped Bulger’s broken body on a railway line where he was later discovered.

The most shocking thing about Venables’ story is that he was only 10-years-old when he became a murderer.

He was released Tuesday with a new identity, which prompted outcry from Bulger’s family. Denise Fergus, Bulger’s mother, said that “the Probation Service didn’t monitor him properly last time so I have no faith in their ability to do that now.”

She is referring to Venables’ 2001 release. He was jailed again in 2010 after developing drug and drinking habits, and pleading guilty to downloading and distributing over 100 images of children being sexually abused.

“They should’ve kept him locked up for a long time,” Fergus said.

Britain’s Ministry of Justice declined to speak on Venables’ case specifically, but a spokesperson said that parole is granted on a case-by-case basis.

“The re-release of life-licensed offenders is directed by the independent Parole Board once they are satisfied they can be safely managed in the community,” the spokesperson 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.”

Do you think that child killer Jon Venables should have been paroled and given a new identity?