Jon Venables pictured in 1993
Jon Venables pictured in 1993

Jon Venables, one of the two convicted murders of toddler James Bulger, has been released from prison and given a fourth new identity.

Venables, 31, was jailed in 2010 after admitting downloading child pornography while on parole from his life sentence for killing two-year-old James.

Venables and Robert Thompson killed the toddler in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993. Both were given new identities after they were released from prison.

The 31-year-old was first released on licence in 2001 after serving eight years for murdering James.

Denise Fergus, James's mother, has described her dismay at the fact her son's killer has been freed again, and condemned the Parole Board for not telling her he had been released.

She told the Sun: "He is a danger to the public. He lies for his own sick ends.

"I have been told that the terms of his parole mean that he must not enter the county of Merseyside.

"But the probation service didn't monitor him properly last time so I have no faith in their ability to do that now.

"They should've kept him locked up for a long time."

It is reported the total cost to the taxpayer to keep Venables' four new identities secret following his releases from prison will now total £1m.

Venables and Thompson were first given new identities when they were sent to a young offenders' institution for murdering the toddlers. Venables was given two more following his release from prison in 2001 and when he was sent back to jail in 2010.

James's father, Ralph, believes Venables will commit more crimes now he has been released. He previously feared he would attempt to murder another one of his children once freed, saying it would be the would be the "ultimate sexual thrill" for the convicted child killer and paedophile.

A Ministry of Justice Spokesperson said: "We do not comment on individual offenders. 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.

"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."