Charles Bronson, widely regarded as Britain's most violent prisoner, has spent nearly five decades behind bars, but a growing campaign for his freedom has attracted surprising support from sporting legends including Tyson Fury and John Terry.
The Man Behind the Notoriety
Now 72 years old, Bronson was first incarcerated at the age of 21 in 1974 with an initial seven-year sentence for robbery, aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm. Born Michael Gordon Peterson, he has become one of Britain's longest-serving prisoners after repeatedly extending his stay through violent offences committed while in custody.
Bronson has taken 11 hostages across nine different sieges during his imprisonment, with his most serious offence occurring in 1999 when he held a prison teacher hostage for 44 hours at HMP Hull. This incident led to a discretionary life sentence in 2000 with a minimum term of four years, though he remains imprisoned today.
High-Profile Support Gathers Momentum
The campaign for Bronson's release has gained significant traction in recent months, with heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury sending a personal video message to his 'old mate'. In the social media clip, Fury declared: 'Get up Charlie, let's get him home now boys, he's been in jail enough now - that's enough. Bring him home, let him out, come on Charlie.'
Chelsea legend John Terry added his voice to the cause, telling Bronson in his own video: 'It's time to get home now mate, get around some good friends, some good family members, enjoy their time mate and more importantly, enjoy your time now.'
Former Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise also joined the campaign, suggesting Bronson could channel his famous fitness passion into helping others if released. The Change.org petition titled 'Grant Long-standing Prisoner Charles Salvador His Much Deserved Release' has gathered over 4,700 signatures since its creation eight months ago.
A Life Behind Bars
Bronson's prison journey has been marked by extreme violence and lengthy periods in solitary confinement. Despite brief periods of freedom in 1987 and 1992, lasting just 69 and 53 days respectively, he quickly returned to custody for new offences.
His criminal activities while imprisoned include attacking fellow inmates with glass jugs, rooftop protests causing hundreds of thousands of pounds in damage, and multiple hostage situations. In one notorious 1993 incident, he took a librarian hostage and demanded a cup of tea, a helicopter and an inflatable doll from police negotiators.
During his 2023 parole hearing - only the second public review in British history - Bronson admitted he had 'probably deserved a good 35 years' of his imprisonment but claimed he was now a 'chilled-out man' no longer prone to anger. The Parole Board noted he had spent an 'additional 20 years in prison for the protection of the public' and ruled against his release, stating they couldn't be satisfied he had the skills to manage his risk of future violence.
Transformation Through Art and Fitness
In 2014, Bronson changed his name to Charles Salvador in tribute to his favourite artist Salvador Dali, declaring: 'Bronson was a nasty b******. I wasn't a nice person and I didn't like him. Salvador is a man of peace.'
He has developed a significant reputation as an artist, with his works reportedly selling for around £2,000 each and having been displayed on the London Underground. The Born For Art Foundation was established with his backing to supply art equipment for underprivileged children.
Bronson remains famous for his fitness regime, claiming to do 2,000 press-ups daily in his cell. He published the book 'Solitary Fitness' in 2002, detailing exercise methods for limited spaces. His story was portrayed by Tom Hardy in the 2008 biopic 'Bronson', though the prisoner initially thought the actor was 'too thin' to play him.
As Bronson approaches his eighth decade, with most of it spent in various prison cells, the debate continues about whether Britain's most notorious prisoner has finally reformed or whether his violent past justifies keeping him behind bars indefinitely.
