James Bulger's Dad Calls For Killer Jon Venables To Be Kept On An Army Camp

James Bulger's Dad Calls For Killer Jon Venables To Be Kept On An Army Camp

Ralph Bulger, the dad of murdered toddler James Bulger, has called for one of his killers to be kept on an army base if he is freed by a parole board.

He put the idea forward in a statement to a hearing held to consider the release of Jon Venables.

Ralph's solicitor Robin Makin said accommodation on a secure government facility was the only way Venables could safely be given a measure of freedom.

Both Ralph and James's mum Denise Fergus urged the board not to free Venables, now 30.

Their statements were made through a two-way video link, with Ralph addressing the panel from a room at Liverpool crown court.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Makin said the army base suggestion was a way to ensure the safety of both the public and Venables, who was recalled to prison in 2010 after admitting downloading and distributing indecent images of children.

He said: "The best we can think of, if the parole board decides he has been rehabilitated, is for him to effectively be subject to some form of house arrest, possibly on a secure government facility such as an army base."

Mr Makin described Venables's release in 2001 as a 'liberal experiment' which had failed, and said Mr Bulger and his family had been let down by the criminal justice system.

He added: "There is no real support for Ralph and his family."

Meanwhile, Denise called for claims about Venables, including reports he had a relationship with a worker at a secure children's home where he was held during his original sentence, to be looked at.

The 45-year-old added: "It has been very difficult for me to come here today, but it is my choice and I have always said if there was a fight there to do for James, I would do it."

Ralph said: "I just hope they properly look in to it and keep him in. I think they'd be stupid if they let him out."

It is not known when the board, which sat at an undisclosed location, will make its decision.

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