Britain’s most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson could be released in just months as he makes fresh bid
BRITAIN’S most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson could be released from prison in just a few months as he makes a fresh bid to leave.
This will be the ninth time prison chiefs are looking at the armed robber’s case, whose behaviour has landed him the title of “Britain’s most violent prisoner.”
The infamous lag, now 72, is attempting to leave prison before he dies after spending half a century behind bars.
A friend of Bronson told The Mirror: “He fears dying in prison.
“This could be his one and only chance of freedom.”
Bronson, who changed his name from Salvador, was first locked up in 1974 for armed robbery and wounding – but it was his prison etiquette that kept him in the slammer.
His first seven-year stint was quickly extended by nine months after he attacked another inmate with a glass jug.
From here, Bronson’s violent outbursts kept him on the inside of the prison walls.
A slew of various attacks on guards and fellow inmates led the panel to turn down the Luton-born convict’s last appeal.
Bronson’s pals however believe he is no longer a risk: “It has been several years now since he has been violent.
“He is not the person he was.
“We hope this will be the year he is released.”
Bronson’s last parole hearing was two years ago where he was refused the opportunity to go to an open prison.
With a history of 10 sieges, at least 20 attacks on prison officers, and holding multiple people hostage, including a prison governor, the panel did not believe he was suitable for release.
The panel stated they had “evidence of improved self-control and better emotional management” but “could not be satisfied he has the skills to manage his risk of future violence.”
After his last rejection, the criminal appeared to resign himself to life in prison, stating: “I’m now convinced I will die in jail.
“I’ll never get out… And I’ve never said that in half a century.”
However, it seems he’s managed to gear himself up to try once more.
The last time the infamous thug was freed was in 1987, he robbed a jewellery store, fought a Rottweiler for money, and became a bare-knuckled underground fighter.
On advice from his fight promoter, he changed his name from Salvador to Bronson.
During one appeal, Bronson said: “I was born to have a rumble, I love to have a rumble.
“But I’m 70 now. It can become embarrassing. You have to grow up sooner or later.”
During his history of violence, Bronson made weapons with jam jars, silk ties, and glassware causing damages worth over £500,000 from rampages.
Following further incidents, he was given a life sentence after kidnapping prison art teacher Phil Danielson, in Hull, in 1999.
Danielson said: “Bronson burst into the room, grabbed me by the throat and punched me in the face.
“He stabbed me in the leg and told me ‘Take your last breath. You’re going to die.”
In his last attempt to be released, Bronson ambitiously claimed he had “never been a danger to the public.”
The criminal has spent time in many infamous prisons including the notorious Belmarsh, but now resides in Woodhill Prison.
He has also spent many months in solitary confinement after aggressive outbursts and high-profile psychiatric hospitals.
In his book 50 Years of Porridge the criminal writes an account about being one of the UK’s longest serving criminal alongside prison pal Richard Booth.
Throughout the book he denies committing any crime “to be ashamed of” and shows a distinct lack of remorse.
The crimes of Charles Bronson
By Kieran Davies
CHARLES Bronson has served 50 years in prison – but why has he been kept behind bars for so many years?
The crook – real name Michael Peterson – was first sentenced to seven years in jail after being convicted of armed robbery in 1974 – which was extended by nine months after he attacked a fellow prisoner with a glass jug.
He later attempted to strangle Gordon Robinson while at Broadmoor, before causing £250,000 worth of damage when he staged a three-day protest on a rooftop.
The serial criminal was eventually released in 1987 – it was then he changed his name to Charles Bronson on the advice of his bare-knuckle boxing promoter.
But it was not long before he was back in jail, after robbing a jewellery shop in 1988 and sentenced to seven more years inside.
Bronson was released early from his sentence in 1992 – but was back behind bars 53 days later for intent to commit robbery.
After holding three men hostage in his cell, the Luton lad saw another seven years added to his sentence – although this was cut to five on appeal.
Following further incidents, he was finally given a life sentence after kidnapping prison teacher Phil Danielson in 1999, causing destruction to the prison.
After being held at a number of prisons across the country – including Belmarsh – he returned to HM Prison Woodhill in 2018, where Bronson is still incarcerated.