Parole hearing for child killer Jon Venables to take place in private

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A parole hearing for Jon Venables, one of the killers of two-year-old James Bulger, will take place in private after requests to have the proceedings in public were rejected. If even parts of the hearing were held in public, there is a risk that some information could inadvertently be revealed, putting Jon Venables at risk and breaching the injunction Caroline Corby Ms Corby said: “At the oral hearing, the panel will need to hear about Jon Venables’ past, present and future life. “If even parts of the hearing were held in public, there is a risk that some information could inadvertently be revealed, putting Jon Venables at risk and breaching the injunction.” There is also the risk that any staff who support Venables’ release could withdraw from proceedings for fear for their own safety, the Parole Board chief found. Ms Corby concluded: “It follows that whereas I have deep sympathy for Jon Venables’ victims, I do not grant the application for the hearing to be held in public.” Four applications were made for the hearing to take place in public, including two by journalists.