CHARLES Bronson looks set to make yet another bid for freedom today as his public parole board hearing will take place.
In 1974 Charles Bronson was jailed for seven years after being convicted of armed robbery and was finally given a life sentence after kidnapping prison teacher Phil Danielson in 1999, causing destruction to the prison.
In a Channel 4 documentary which aired last week, Bronson insisted he had reformed and is now "anti-crime, anti-violent" adding he can "taste freedom" ahead of the hearing.
His public parole hearing will start today and will be live streamed on Wednesday, before Friday's hearing takes place behind closed doors.
Bronson was the first prisoner to formally ask for a public hearing after rules changed last year in a bid to remove the secrecy around the parole process.
Read our Charles Bronson blog below for the latest news…
- Louis Allwood
Parole board informed Dominic Raab's submissions had been delayed
The review heard how submissions to the hearing on behalf of Justice Secretary Dominic Raab had been delayed.
As a result the submissions could not be provided in advance of the proceedings to the parole board.
In response to this Charles muttered "f****** hell" under his breath.
- Louis Allwood
Charles Bronson gives reaction after finding out judges hadn't watched his latest documentary
Charles Bronson said he "found it hard to believe" the parole judges have not watched a recent documentary about him.
The parole panel chairman told the hearing: "The panel has not seen that documentary."
Bronson replied: "I find that hard to believe."
- Louis Allwood
Charles Bronson parole hearing has started
A public parole hearing where Charles Bronson will make his latest bid for freedom has started.
The Parole Board review began this morning, making him the second inmate in UK legal history to have his case heard in public.
Bronson appeared on camera sat opposite a panel of parole judges wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark glasses.
When asked if he wished to give evidence at the hearing, he said: "Oh yes, certainly."
- Louis Allwood
What happens at a parole hearing?
Up to three members of a panel will decide whether to release a prisoner based on a file of documents the prison puts together.
The file includes information on:
- their behaviour in prison
- what they plan to do once released
- whether they’re likely to commit more crime or are a danger to the public
- why they’re in prison
- previous offences
- what the judge said when they were sentenced
- the victim statement – this may be read at the hearing
- medical, psychiatric and psychological evidence
There may be a solicitor, prison psychologist and victims present as well as any witnesses.
The Parole Board will write with their decision and the hearing and full decision will be kept private.
When is a prisoner eligible for parole?
Offenders who have a fixed term or determinate sentence are likely to be released halfway through their sentence if they are not deemed a risk to the public.
In these cases, a parole board is not involved.
But prisoners who have been given terms of four years or more or who have committed serious or violent crimes must be reviewed before release.
Inmates with life and indeterminate sentences will be contacted three years before their tariff runs out.
The Parole Board then determines whether or not the offender will be granted release – a decision that typically takes six months to be reached.
When did Irene Dunroe marry Charles Bronson?
Irene says that he stood out from the crowd when she met him, wearing tailored suits with a perfectly groomed appearance along with his distinctive cockney accent.
They went on to marry in 1972, when she was four months pregnant with his child.
Bronson was working as an industrial painter when the pair met.
Later that same year, they had their son, Michael Jonathan Peterson.
Dunroe never knew of any of his criminal exploits, with him often disappearing for days on end or simply leaving her house at all hours to "go for a pint".
Their relationship took a blow when Charles was jailed for seven years in 1974 for armed robbery.
His wife continued to visit him for a couple of years during his prison sentence.
Despite this, the pair divorced in 1977.
Who is Irene Dunroe?
Irene Dunroe is known for being the first wife of notorious prisoner Charles Bronson.
The couple got together when they were just 19 years old.
Unlike the lag's other two wives, Irene was with the offender when he was still Michael Peterson.
Still to this day, she refers to him as "Mick" as she says he was never Charles Bronson when she was with him and will never see him as anything other than Michael Peterson.
Charles Bronson published book full of poems
Charles Branson published a poetry book whilst in prison.
In Words Inside and Out, he writes of jails: “Broadmoor was a gas, Rampton a hole; Parkhurst was a trap, that’s where I lost my soul.”
Another poem brands Soham killer Ian Huntley and Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe “a disgrace to the human race”.
Bronson says the virus battle means lags are fed in cells at HMP Woodhill, in Milton Keynes.
The foreword says: “Enjoy this book, if not . . . sling it on the fire.”
Co-writer Steve Wraith, a pal of 20 years, said: “These poems show a different side to him.”
Former jail pal reveals time with Charles Bronson
Former London gangster Stephen Gillen, 51, bonded with the infamous prisoner, known for his extreme violence, during a series of spells in the late Nineties and early 2000s.
In an exclusive chat, Gillen, who spent almost 12 years inside for crimes including firearms offences, argues Bronson should be freed ahead of a parole hearing next week.
He reveals one incident that showed his friend's empathetic side, and claims they were driven to madness by horrendous prison conditions.
Gillen said: "He was desperate. We all were. You can't keep hitting a dog with a stick and be shocked when it eventually bites back.
"I understand that people like Charlie, and me back then, need to be contained, but conditions inside weren't always engineered to encourage people's best behaviour."
- Louis Allwood
Footage shows the moment Charles Bronson attacks FIFTEEN riot squad prison guards
Video footage recently emerged of Britain's most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson dancing naked before fighting with a small army of prison officers.
Bronson appears ready for battle as he jumps around
provocatively in front of the riot squad before purple tear gas is fired at him on the prison landing.
- Louis Allwood
What has Phil Danielson said?
Danielson spoke about the incident during the two-part Channel 4 documentary Bronson: Fit To Be Free?, which first aired on February 27, 2023.
He 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'.”
Danielson added: “The damage caused by him has moulded my whole life.
“It’ll be with me for the rest of my life.”
He went on to say that he thinks that Bronson needs to show regret for the crimes he committed.
He added: "I think he needs to show remorse and it needs to be documented remorse, not a load of clever talk to get in the papers."
Bronson has admitted that Danielson didn't deserve the brutal treatment that he inflicted upon him.
- Louis Allwood
What happened when Charles Bronson took him hostage?
Danielson was stabbed and beaten by Bronson during the hostage situation in 1999.
He was tied up with a skipping rope and dragged around at knifepoint by the man dubbed "Britain's most notorious prisoner".
Bronson was given a life sentence for the attack with a minimum term of three years, but has been refused parole since, meaning he has now served 24 years.
- Louis Allwood
Who is Phil Danielson?
Phil Danielson, who was a prison art teacher, was held hostage by notorious inmate Charles Bronson in 1999.
The brutal attack, which lasted 43 hours, took place in Hull Prison.
Danielson, from Huddersfield, was awarded £65,000 in compensation from the Home Office.
He has been unable to work since the attack.
- Louis Allwood
What has Charles Bronson said about his parole?
Bronson has now said he can "taste freedom" ahead of his public parole hearing.
In part one of the Bronson: Fit To Be free? documentary, he can be seen calling his son George.
During the call, Bronson says: ''I’ve got a horrible, violent, nasty past, but I've never killed anybody and I’ve never hurt a woman.
"I’m focused, I’m settled, I can actually smell and taste freedom like I’ve never, ever done in my life.
“I’m now anti-crime and anti-violence. So why the f*** am I still in prison?”
- Louis Allwood
When is Charles Bronson's parole hearing?
The parole board confirmed that Bronson will have a public hearing on March 6 and 8, 2023, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
The Parole Board's duty will be to decide whether Bronson presents a danger to others.
If the risks are deemed low, there is a possibility he could be released on a life licence after almost 50 years behind bars.
He has been turned down for parole repeatedly in the past due to being deemed a threat to the public.
- Louis Allwood
Why is he in prison?
Bronson 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 currently still incarcerated.
- Louis Allwood
Charles Bronson has had his parole hearing turned down before
Known for being one of the UK's longest serving prisoners, the hearing will access whether he presents a danger to others.
If the risks are deemed low, there is a possibility he could be released on a life licence.
But he has been turned down repeatedly since 2002 after being deemed a threat to the public.
His hearing is only the second one to be made public ever and will take place at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
- Louis Allwood
Charles Bronson claimed he is now 'anti-crime and anti-violent'
In a Channel 4 documentary which aired last week, Bronson insisted he had reformed and is now "anti-crime, anti-violent".
He also said he can "taste freedom" ahead of the hearing.
He added: “I’ve got a horrible, violent, nasty past, but I've never killed anybody and I’ve never hurt a woman.
"I’m focused, I’m settled, I can actually smell and taste freedom like I’ve never, ever done in me life
“I’m now anti-crime and anti-violence. So why the f*** am I still in prison?”
- Louis Allwood
When was Charles Bronson first arrested?
His campaign of crimes include holding 11 people hostage across nine sieges with victims being governors, doctors and even his own solicitor.
He has also spent time in solitary confinement and specialist units for his violent outbursts towards other inmates.
In 1974 he was jailed for seven years after being convicted of armed robbery – which was extended by nine months after he attacked a fellow prisoner with a glass jug.
- Louis Allwood
Public parole board showdown today
Charles Bronson is set to have his public parole board hearing today as he makes yet another bid for freedom.
Britain's most notorious lag, who has been in and out of prison for over 50 years, is now hoping he will finally be released.
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