Dominic Raab told me evil Jon Venables does not deserve to be freed, says James Bulger’s dad

THE dad of murdered James Bulger has spoken of his “huge relief” after the Justice Secretary told him the tot’s killer Jon Venables deserves to never go free.

Ralph Bulger, 56, said Dominic Raab’s stance — ahead of today’s poignant 30th anniversary of James’ death — came as a comfort as he continues his campaign to keep Venables in jail.

He held an emotional father-to- father meeting with Mr Raab last month to talk through the matter.

They met as Venables — who has twice been jailed for child sex abuse image offences since his release for killing James — goes back before a parole board to try to convince them he is safe for release.

Ralph has fought ceaselessly to keep Venables locked up since he and Robert Thompson, both then ten, abducted James from his mum’s side in a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12 1993.

They tortured and murdered James, whose body was found on a railway track two days’ later.

Ralph said of meeting Mr Raab: “He was genuinely moved by the tragedy of James’ murder, and I believe he really does care and wants to see our country tougher on dangerous criminals like my son’s killers.

“Most importantly, he agreed criminals such as Venables don’t deserve to ever be released from prison.

“His words were a huge relief and a comfort to me. His support gives a glimmer of hope after 30 long years of fighting a system that never wanted to listen.”

He added: “Mr Raab spoke to me as a father and told me he agreed with everything I have said and done to campaign for justice for my son.

“He understood why I’ve never given up and fought so hard.

He said that, as a dad of two sons, he could not even imagine the heartbreak and pain I suffered.

“I told him the worst thing was not being there to save my little boy — and he confided he’d have found life unbearable if he’d been in my shoes.

“He also said sorry for the devastation James’ murder had brought me and my family and for being denied justice for my child.

“I understand that as a politician he’s sometimes fighting battles with his arms tied behind his back. But he’s campaigning for tougher laws to stop people like Venables being freed on parole to live among us.

“As a man, a dad, he was warm and genuine. His compassion for me and his resolve to keep the likes of Venables locked up aren’t phoney or fake. I believe he really wants to change the system to make the world a safer place for ordinary people.

“To have a powerful politician on your side is a huge shift after 30 years of being beaten down by the establishment. I’m not expecting miracles, but I trust he will do everything he can.”

Both killers were released in 2001 under new identities, but Venables was recalled to jail in 2010 and 2017 for the child abuse image offences.

His re-offending sparked calls for his anonymity to be stripped.

Ralph reckons he will always be a danger.

He said: “You have to stay one step ahead of Venables. He’s enemy number one for vulnerable children. Let him out and he’ll kill another child like James.”