Prisoner Charles Bronson is to pay for 80 pensioners to have a free slap-up turkey dinner this Christmas .
The notorious armed robber, who has spent the last 44 years of his life behind bars - much of that having been in solitary confinement - says that he knows what it's like to be lonely come December 25 and wants to make sure OAPs facing the big day on their own can enjoy some company and a bite to eat.
Bronson - who now goes by the name Charles Salvador in tribute to the surrealist painter Dali - has funded the afternoon of food, drink, entertainment and bingo by selling off some of his art work, much of which he donates to raise funds for various charities.
The seasonal spread will be laid on for locals at the Manhattan Show Bar in Skegness on Monday December 23, with flyers for the event accompanied by a self-portrait of Bronson in a Santa hat, along with the words, "To all in my corner. Merry Crimbo and let's kick some arse in 2020. Your old china, Charles Salvador."
However, it's unlikely the inmate, whose elderly mum Eira is from Aberystwyth, with be able to tuck into any Xmas dinner from his cell at Woodhill prison in Milton Keynes as he's suffering from a painful abscess in his jaw and has been unable to receive dental treatment for almost a week.
The delay, his supporters claim, is the result of needless legal red tape.
"On Monday (December 16) Charlie woke up in agony and one side of his face swollen to twice its size," says Rod Harrison, Bronson's pal on the outside.
"He saw a doctor and was told he had a large abscess under his back tooth. He was given painkillers and antibiotics and was informed a dentist would visit the prison hospital on Wednesday (December 18).
"However, when that day arrived Charlie was prevented from going because, as a category 'A' prisoner, there was no van available to take him.
"That's a ridiculous situation because the prison hospital is only a short walk across the yard from B wing, where Charlie's housed.
"What is more, high-risk terrorist scum like Lee Rigby's murderers , one of whom is also at Woodhill, are just allowed to walk to the hospital if needs be.
"Now you tell me that Charlie, who's never killed anyone, isn't being discriminated against."
Rod adds that when a van was finally available to take Bronson - who was doubled cuffed, accompanied by six officers and met at the other end by guard dogs - the x-ray equipment at the hospital turned out to be broken.
As a result he's still awaiting treatment.
"Charlie has really been progressing recently and is now only supposed to require a two man escort, but it seems he's still being judged on his past reputation," says his pal.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service said that while they do not comment on individual cases "all prisoners' escort arrangements are based on a thorough assessment of the risk they pose".
