Britain’s most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson is launching a bid for freedom at a public parole hearing.
Bronson, now known as Charles Salvador and appearing with a shaven head, cuts an imposing figure in his dark suit and familiar round-framed sunglasses as he faces the panel across a small desk flanked by his solicitor.
The 70-year-old is arguing that after nearly half a century in jail, most of it in solitary confinement, he is safe to be released.
Asked if he will be giving evidence, he replied in his trademark rumbling voice: “Oh yes… yes certainly.”
When the hearing was told that Bronson had tried to get someone outside prison to place a bet for him, he told the panel: “We all love a bet, guv, come on.”
He then repeatedly said: “I’m getting bored of this”, objecting to his legal representative asking for a break before he gave evidence. Bronson could be heard asking the lawyer “Can’t you just go yourself?”, before telling the chairman: “He just wants the toilet.”
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Bronson muttered “f****** hell” under his breath as the review heard how submissions on behalf of Justice Secretary Dominic Raab had been delayed and could not be provided in advance of the proceedings to the parole board as a result.
He also cast doubt on the panel’s assertion they have not seen a recent documentary about him, saying: “I find that hard to believe.”
After spilling a carton of juice he reassured the panel: “Don’t worry, I ain’t p***** meself.”
As he listened to evidence Bronson shifted agitatedly in his seat, sighing frequently.
Bronson, already impatient, said “we’ll be here all f****** day” as the prison offender manager struggled to find information about an alleged attempted 2018 assault against a prison governor at HMP Frankland over a withheld photo of his mother.
His prison offender manager said since she began working with him there have been documented threats against prison staff, but they have “not resulted in violence”.
Dubbed one of Britain’s most violent offenders, Bronson previously told how he was first sent to jail in 1968 and has held 11 hostages in nine different sieges – with victims including governors, doctors, staff and on one occasion his own solicitor.
He was sentenced in 2000 to a discretionary life term with a minimum of four years for taking a prison teacher at HMP Hull hostage for 44 hours.
Since then the Parole Board has repeatedly refused to direct his release.
