The article reports that Jon Venables, one of James Bulger’s killers, could face a public parole hearing. James Bulger’s mother is calling for Venables to attend such a hearing and confront the consequences of his crimes, arguing that greater openness is needed in decisions about his detention or release.

Venables and Robert Thompson murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, when both offenders were aged 10. Venables has since returned to prison after convictions for possessing indecent images of children; any public hearing would concern the Parole Board’s assessment of his risk and suitability for release.