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Jon Venables has reportedly been granted a parole hearing ahead of legislation which could prevent him from ever being released.

The infamous killer – handed an indefinite sentence when he was 10 for the torture and murder of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 – could appear before a parole board as early as next month, The Sun reports.

A source told the publication: ‘An oral hearing would mean Venables is one decision away from being released. James’ family are horrified at the prospect.’ 

Venables was freed from prison aged 18 in 2001 and handed a new identity, but landed back in jail in 2010 and 2017 over child sex images.

He was last denied parole in 2020. The killer is currently serving a 40-month jail term and passed the halfway point last October.

The infamous killer – handed an indefinite sentence when he was 10 for the torture and murder of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 – could appear before a parole board as early as next month

James’ father, Ralph said at the time: ‘If Venables is walking around as a free man as we mark 30 years of losing our beautiful boy, it would be the ultimate betrayal’

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to provide a recommendation to parole chiefs to keep Venables behind bars, citing an ongoing threat to the community.

But a hearing would also consider advice from prison chiefs, victim impact statements from James’s parents and other factors.

Venables’ legal team will be hoping to move quickly on any future parole hearings as Mr Raab looks to pass his Victims Bill through Parliament by Easter.

The Bill would allow ministers to block a criminal’s release from prison with a ‘two strikes and you’re in’ policy.

It would mean anyone who commits a serious offence while already on parole would never be released. 

Additionally, ex-cops would be placed on parole board panels in an attempt to introduce a more ‘precautionary approach’.

Under the package, victims will be given the right to attend Parole Board hearings in full and submit questions about an offender’s suitability for release. 

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to provide a recommendation to parole chiefs to keep Venables behind bars, citing an ongoing threat to the community

Venables and his co-offender Robert Thompson were both 10 years old when they kidnapped, tortured and then murdered little James on Merseyside in 1993

Venables and his co-offender Robert Thompson were both 10 years old when they kidnapped, tortured and then murdered little James on Merseyside in 1993.

The crime sent shockwaves through the community, and both boys were jailed indefinitely. 

The Justice Secretary is said to be ‘looking very closely’ at the case.

There were whispers Venables would have landed a parole hearing in late 2022, however ‘Westminster turmoil‘ prevented him in securing a pre-Christmas parole hearing, sources said at the time.

Under the current legislation, Venables was entitled to another parole hearing within two years of his last bid in September 2020.

James’ father, Ralph said at the time: ‘If Venables is walking around as a free man as we mark 30 years of losing our beautiful boy, it would be the ultimate betrayal.’ 

His mother Denise Fergus also urged the government to block Venables’ release claiming he is ‘still a danger’.