“Justice, at last.” After 30 long years, Denise Fergus has finally been given a moment she never thought she’d see. The decision to deny Jon Venables parole has been described as the most powerful step toward justice for her son, James — and for parents everywhere who refuse to give up.

In the shadow of one of Britain’s most heartbreaking tragedies, a small but profound victory has emerged for Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger. After decades of relentless campaigning, enduring unimaginable grief, and facing repeated parole hearings for one of her son’s killers, Denise has spoken of a rare sense of relief and progress. The latest development—rooted in the Parole Board’s ongoing scrutiny of Jon Venables—reinforces that he remains behind bars, a outcome that echoes the 2023 denial where the board concluded he still posed a significant risk to children and the public.

Here are poignant images of Denise Fergus over the years, capturing her unwavering strength and tireless fight for justice in memory of James:

The murder of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993—abducted, tortured, and killed by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson—shocked the world and sparked endless debate on youth justice, rehabilitation, and lifelong consequences. Venables and Thompson were detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure, released on licence in 2001 with new identities, but Venables has been recalled to prison multiple times: first in 2010 and again in 2017 for possessing indecent images of children. His bids for parole have repeatedly been refused, most notably in December 2023, when the Parole Board ruled he could not be safely managed in the community due to ongoing concerns over his behavior and risk of reoffending.

These powerful photos show Denise Fergus speaking out, attending vigils, and advocating through the James Bulger Memorial Trust—symbols of a mother’s enduring resolve:

While a new parole hearing was granted in early 2026—prompting fresh distress for Denise and James’s family, with Denise granted the right to observe—the pattern of denials has held firm. Denise has described previous refusals as “the best thing to happen in 30 years,” a sentiment that resonates deeply in this latest chapter. She has warned that Venables, now in his 40s, is “bigger and stronger” than the child he was, and that releasing him from prison’s “protection” could endanger others. Her words carry the weight of someone who has lived with trauma reopened time and again.

More moving glimpses of Denise Fergus and tributes to James, highlighting the family’s long road and the community’s support:

For Denise, this isn’t closure—James’s loss can never be undone—but it is acknowledgment. After 30 years of fighting for her son’s memory, of pushing for inquiries, petitions, and public awareness, each denial of parole feels like a hard-won affirmation that the system is listening. Parents everywhere who have lost children to violence see in her story a refusal to give up, a reminder that justice can be slow, painful, and imperfect, but it can still arrive.

The James Bulger case continues to provoke strong emotions and calls for reform, but for Denise Fergus, these moments of “justice, at last” provide a quiet, powerful step forward. Her courage inspires millions. Rest in peace, James—your mother’s fight honors you every day. 🕊️❤️