Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Nathan Bevan

Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson to 'shock the planet' by revealing why he's been behind bars for nearly 50 years

Infamous prisoner Charles Bronson has said he will expose the prison system for what it's done to him and the truth will "shock the planet." The 69-year-old jailbird, who's been behind bars for nearly 50 years, has spoken out ahead of his proposed public parole hearing.

Bronson, whose family hail from Aberystwyth, was initially jailed for seven years for armed robbery in 1974. But, aside from two brief stints on the outside, he's been banged up ever since for carrying out a number of violent attacks on prison staff whilst incarcerated.

In a new voice message to Sky News, he said, "Hopefully I've got a date soon for my parole hearing - I'm the first man in Britain to have public one.

READ MORE: The exclusive Charles Bronson interview: Life inside, the best advice I ever got and what I think of Boris Johnson

Bronson pictured with his dog Delia when he was briefly out of prison in 1992 (Handout/PA Wire)

"The reason for that is I'm going to expose the system for what it's done to me. I bet you can't believe I'm still in, can ya?"

In 1999 Bronson earned himself a life sentence, with a minimum term of three years, for taking his art teacher hostage at Hull prison after he criticised his drawing ability. Then, in 2019, Bronson stood trial and was acquitted on a charge of attempted grievous bodily harm on a governor at Wakefield jail in West Yorkshire.

Now 70-years-old, he added: "I've never murdered anyone, never raped anyone - what am I in jail for? People think I'm a serial killer. But it's all going to come out in the wash, my side of the story. And the truth will shock the planet."

With his mum Eira Peterson at Woodhill Prison in 2008 (Sunday Mirror)

A prolific artist, Bronson changed his name to Salvador in 2014 in honour of surrealist painter Salvador Dali and has spent the last several years writing books and trying to encourage kids to stay out of gangs.

His solicitor Dean Kingham urged Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to show mercy and grant his client a free pardon.

"When someone approaches 70 the research shows that the risk drops off to zero," said Kingham. "Now, he's at that age bracket. The Parole Board regularly releases people that have been convicted of murder. The whole process is based on reduction of risk."

Read next:

  • Wales becomes UK's first nation with 20mph default speed limit
  • Sir Tom Jones issues health statement after cancelling gig last minute
  • Jamie Roberts announces immediate retirement from rugby
  • Incredible footage captures shark jumping off Welsh coast
  • What the rules are around hospital visiting in each part of Wales
  • Sign up to read this article
    Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Related Stories
    Top stories on inkl right now
    One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Our Picks
    Fourteen days free
    Download the app
    One app. One membership.
    100+ trusted global sources.