Justice chiefs have postponed a decision on whether Jon Venables should be released on parole.
The 41-year-old, who abducted, tortured and murdered James Bulger as a toddler, had his private hearing start on November 14 and end that same week.
A result was expected to be announced 10 to 14 days later but it will now be revealed by December 15, The Sun reports.
A source quoted by the newspaper said: “James’ family are terrified of what this means.
“It is really irregular to take so long and they are worried Venables could be sneaked out when it is quiet before Christmas and parliament is not sitting.
“Normally his release would spark questions in the Commons but that wouldn’t happen if he comes out just before Christmas.”
Venables was jailed alongside Robert Thompson in November 1993 at the age of 10 for the harrowing murder of two-year-old James.
Venables was released on licence in July 2001, and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was again released in August 2013, and again called back in November 2017 for the same offence.
His most recent parole review before this was in September 2020.
Venables reportedly did not attend this month’s hearing, despite it being held in private for his mental health.
James’ father Ralph Bulger, 57, believes Venables would kill again if he was released.
A spokesperson for James’ mother Denise Fergus said that while this news is “frustrating”, she understands “the importance of adhering to procedural requirements”.
They went on to say Ms Fergus hopes the board will make a decision which “ensures the safety of the public and well-being of Denise and her loved ones- by not granting Jon Venables parole”.
