Charles Bronson feels he's on 'The Apprentice' at parole hearing - live updates

Day two of Bronson's parole hearing comes to an end

'Why would he rob a jewellers or a bank?'

Asked if he thought it was necessary for him to remain in prison for public protection, the officer said: "I personally don't think so."

He added: "I can't see him getting out and doing something stupid because he knows that would be his last chance."

He added: "Charlie has got enough about him now with his artwork and his family. It wouldn't be like the 1970s when he went out robbing jewellers.

"That would not cross my mind that he would do that. His passion is his art, he's comfortable and he's 70 years old.

Butcher breast surgeon could have hundreds more victims after old database found

"Why would he go and rob a jewellers or a bank?"

'The best is yet to come'

The officer said Bronson has a good support network and the 70-year-old's "life had not yet started".

He said: "He's got a good support network, his family and friends.

"He's spoken to me about his plans, about going down south and going to the fish and chip shop.

"He's got the support to get out and stay out. He always says to me that he's got a lot to look forward to and his 'life has not yet started', and, 'the best is yet to come'."

Bronson "choosing his path now", officer tells parole hearing

The officer said Bronson is "choosing a path now", telling the hearing: "I think everyone knows he's ready to progress, but it's not happening for whatever reason."

He added: "I can only judge him from the past four years, he's pretty much always been consistent over the last four years. Since I've got to know him I can say he's mellowed a bit more.

"But he's always been the same person in my eyes over the past four years."

He added: "In all the time I've been there I've never really had any problems with him. He's never assaulted any staff or prisoners.

"He literally causes no problems."

(PA)

Bronson's personal officer 'never felt threatened' by notorious prisoner

Bronson's personal officer at HMP Woodhill has told the hearing he has never felt threatened by the inmate.

The officer - who has seen Bronson on a daily basis ever since July 2019 - said: "We just naturally got on. He will regularly talk to me about the past, the present and the future.

"He will talk to me and ask me how my family is. He takes interest in me, not just himself.

"He's obviously mentioned stuff that's happened, but he says to me it's in the past.

"He can't be bothered about that stuff. He's in a happy place, he can't be bothered with the drama.

"He's got his artwork."

Bronson would need ‘practical support’ outside prison walls and has never used an ATM

A psychologist earlier told the parole hearing Bronson would need support outside prison, as he has never used everyday things such as cash machines.

The unnamed psychologist was discussing the risk Bronson poses when she moved on to his possible life outside prison.

The expert revealed that despite being jailed after the arrival of ATMs in the UK in 1967, and his brief time outside since then, he has never used an ATM to withdraw cash.

(PA)

Charles Bronson's early crimes

Charles Bronson's early crimes

At the age of 13, Bronson joined a gang of robbers and ended up in a juvenile detention centre after being caught stealing, and things went downhill from there.

In 1974, at the age of 22, he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. While he was behind bars, he attacked fellow prisoners and prison guards and more time was added to his sentence.

He was eventually released in 1987, 13 years later, and started a career as a bare-knuckle boxer in London, but it wasn't long until he found himself standing in front of a judge again.

The next year, in 1988, he robbed a jewellery shop and pleaded guilty to armed robbery when his partner became the prosecution's main witness.

He was sentenced to another seven years, was released in 1992, then 50 days later he was locked up again - this time for conspiracy to rob.

The charges were dismissed in 1993 and he was released, but then he was arrested again for conspiracy to rob and possession of a sawn-off shotgun and handed an eight-year sentence.

He's been behind bars ever since, as he's had years added onto his sentence for taking hostages, causing millions of pounds worth of damage in prison, and staging protests.

Read more here

Bronson's community offender manager has started to give evidence

The inmate's community offender manager says there needs to be a "slow transition" to test his suitability for release.

Recognising that four years had passed without a violent attack, she said: "The risk to staff has been staffing."

Charles Bronson arriving at Leeds Crown Court in 2018 (PA)

Bronson's appearance in last week's Channel 4 documentary

In a Channel 4 documentary which aired last week, he said he can "smell and taste freedom" ahead of the parole hearing.

During the programme, he is seen video calling his son George Bamby from his maximum security cell, reportedly at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

Discussing the prospect of his parole review, Bronson insisted he had reformed, talked about how he has turned to art while behind bars and hopes to be released so he can enjoy "what's left" of his life.

Charles Bronson brawling with 15 police officers as seen on CCTV (Channel 4)

"I've got a horrible, nasty, vicious, violent past (but) I've never killed anyone, I've never harmed a woman, never harmed a child," he said.

"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, anti-violent.

"What the f*** am I still in prison for?"

On giving panel members a piece of art

Bronson said: “Every time I do a piece of artwork, it’s a piece of me."

He told them he had the pieces laminated so that the panel members did not need to worry about leaving fingerprints.

Charles Bronson said he is a 'normal geezer' (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Bronson likens himself to 'Lord Sugar'

Bronson compared today's parole hearing like being on The Apprentice.

He says: "It's like being on The Apprentice . . . Lord Sugar."

The panel were also given pieces of Bronson's artwork to look at.

He told them: "It's a piece of me. Every time I do a piece of art, it's a piece of me."

Bronson should be treated with 'compassion'

The psychologist has said Bronson was frustrated after a female member of staff who complimented him on his artwork was unable to accept it.

When she said it was against the rules, Bronson told her to "f*** off" and ripped it up.

The psychologist said: "Mr Salvador felt offended that this prison officer could not accept his artwork.

"I don't think he felt rejected by her. He ripped up the artwork which in his mind was no longer useful because it was for that individual."

Charles Bronson pictured in 2004 (Lindsey Parnaby/REX/Shutterstock)

The psychologist said Bronson should be treated with "compassion" and the decision to remove him from a close supervision centre - which holds the UK's most dangerous inmates - was "overdue".

She said: "This is a man who has been held in very solitary conditions for a long period of time and there needs to be some thought and compassion to where he moves."

Charles Bronson fan gets tattoo of him

A Charles Bronson superfan with a huge tattoo of the infamous criminal says that the UK's most dangerous prisoner is misunderstood - and should be released.

Demi Keeler has been hooked on Bronson, who changed his name to Charles Salvador, since she saw the Tom Hardy biopic in 2008.

Since then, she's read every article she can find about the armed robber, picked up his books, and she's taken it one step further by getting a huge tattoo of his face.

On her upper thigh, in a detailed black and white sketch, there's a huge bust of Tom Hardy's Charles Bronson, complete with iconic grin and curling moustache.

Read more here

A list of Bronson's offences as he seeks parole for his crimes

• Bronson’s first conviction was in 1974 when he was 21 and was jailed for seven years for robbery, aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm.
• He was convicted for wounding again in 1975, 1978 and 1985, then in 1987 he was released from prison at the age of 34.
• After 69 days he was back in prison, sentenced in 1988 for seven years for robbery at a jewellers’ shop.
• He was later released from prison in 1992, but weeks later was jailed for eight years for intent to rob and has been behind bars since then for violent offences committed while in custody.
• In 1994 he was given seven years for false imprisonment and blackmail, then in 1997 he took a deputy prison governor, staff and three inmates hostage for which he received five years.
• Later, in 1999, he took an art teacher hostage for three days and was given a life sentence with a minimum term of three years which expired in 2003.
• In 2014 he was further sentenced to three years for assaulting a prison governor.

Bronson does not pose a risk to the public, a psychologist has said

The psychologist said Bronson uses violence against prison staff as a form of "survival" and he has a "dislike" of people in authority.

She said: "He doesn't have that for members of the public."

The expert also said he does not pose a risk of "life-threatening or serious harm" to the public.

Charles Bronson is expected to give evidence (Sunday Mirror)

'You don't back down from an argument'

Bronson's independent expert is continuing to detail his use of violence in prison.

The psychologist said: "He was brought up with a very clear message that as a man you don't back down from an argument.

"Then you put him in a prison environment and his mental state was very, very paranoid. It's a hostile and violent environment and he's felt that he's needed to use violence to survive.

"But then it became a protest. Violence and his use of violence has evolved over the years. Lately it's about protest and it's become cathartic."

Bronson has coped 'pretty well'

The psychologist said that Bronson has coped “pretty well” sitting through the parole hearing.

She told the panel: “We’re expecting too much if we expect Mr Salvador to sit in a situation like this and not become frustrated and not become loud, belligerent and swear.”

The psychologist added: “In the past, he would not have been able to tolerate this at all without some sort of outburst.

“Mr Salvador is going to be rude to people on occasion. He is going to swear at people on occasion.”

Charles Bronson with his baby in 1973 (Sunday Mirror)

On Monday, Bronson could be heard muttering under his breath at points and sighing loudly as proceedings continued, but he largely remained silent as the psychologist gave evidence on Wednesday.

There was one point when he was described as a retired prison activist, which he said was “the best thing I’ve ever heard”.

Bronson should be 'tested in open conditions'

The psychologist told the hearing that she "would like to see [Bronson] moved down through security".

She says he "should be tested in open conditions where he can feel he's making some progress".

The independent expert says he's "incredibly capable of causing absolute mayhem while he's in isolated conditions", but he has "mellowed out" with old age.

When the psychologist refers to his label as a "retired prison activist", Bronson said: "It's the best thing I've ever heard."

Charles Arthur Salvador better known as Charles Bronson (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Bronson should be allowed to interact with others, psychologist said

The psychologist said that she believes Bronson should be moved to open conditions to allow him more interaction with other people.

He currently mixes with only three other inmates, one of whom he does not like and avoids, the parole panel has already been told.

She said: “I believe that Mr Salvador poses less of a risk in a community environment than in a prison environment, and I stand by that assessment.

“Of course, I’m talking about a highly supportive community environment and I’m talking about a gradual move into a community environment.”

Wearing a black t-shirt with white writing on it, and his trademark dark, round glasses, Bronson could be seen rocking his chair backwards and forwards as the psychologist gave evidence.

One of the UK’s longest-serving inmates, he has held 11 hostages in nine different sieges while he has been incarcerated – with victims including governors, doctors, staff and, on one occasion, his own solicitor.

Bronson 'less of a risk'

The expert reveals that Bronson currently sees a psychologist from behind a clear screen but suffers from hearing issues so is unable to participate fully.

She said that Bronson deals with his feelings "vastly different" to 1999 when he held art teacher Phil Danielson hostage.

She told the hearing: "I've never written this in a report but I stand by it; I believe that Mr Salvador is less of a risk in a community environment than a prison environment.

"I'm talking about a highly supportive community environment and a gradual move into a community environment.

Charles Bronson in 1978 (Sunday Mirror)

'Sensitive to slights and feeling humiliated'

The psychologist says that Bronson took art teacher Phil Danielson hostage in 1999 because it was a "cathartic event".

She told the hearing: "He's sensitive to slights and feeling humiliated and degraded. He feels the whole system is about humiliating him and degrading him."

Bronson 'still has PTSD symptoms'

A psychologist hired by Bronson's legal team has told the hearing that Bronson is suffering from mild PTSD and says he previously harboured fears that "prison officers would kill him".

She said he had "anti-authoritarian views" and "that was not going to change".

However, the expert said that he has been subjected to "brutal and unacceptable" treatment in prison - but has never received treatment for PTSD.

She said: "It seems he still has PTSD symptoms but they are more in the mild range and he shows hypervigilance.

"He has thoughts about things that have happened to him in previous years in prison.

"He feels uncomfortable if a prison officer is behind him or if his door is unlocked.

"He immediately says to himself, 'Oh, what's this', and he's hypervigilant."

Second day of Bronson's hearing has started

The second day of Charles Bronson's parole hearing is underway at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Bronson is given a five-minute window to "clear the air" so he can reflect on Monday's hearing.

He criticised the decision to include details of a letter sent to him in his cell which was laced with drugs.

Bronson said that he has since been told the letter could have been "contaminated" if the letter writer was smoking drugs or by other letters sent to the prison.

Charles Bronson during time out from prison in 1992 (PA)

He told the hearing: "Yesterday I was humiliated and degraded and I never slept over it.

"It was mentioned about drugs. I'm the most anti-drug man on the planet. I despise drugs and I despise people who deal in drugs. It's never been in my life.

"The only time I've ever had it was when I was forcibly held down and injected in a psychiatric unit."

Do you think Bronson should be released? Take out poll

A Mirror poll so far suggests nearly 70 per cent of the public feel Charles Bronson should get his freedom after spending most of his adult life behind bars.

Dubbed one of Britain's most violent offenders, Bronson - who changed his surname to Salvador in 2014 after the artist Salvador Dali, has been in prison for much of the last 50 years, often spending time in solitary confinement or specialist units.

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.

Read more here

Bronson artwork being sold for £6,000

An "intense" piece of artwork by Charles Bronson which shows an inmate being tortured is being sold on eBay for £6,000

The disturbing sketch - drawn by the UK's most notorious prisoner - brings to life his depiction of an asylum.

His colourful illustration shows machinery being gouged into an inmate's eyes and parts of their limbs being torn off.

It comes as a Mirror poll so far suggests nearly 70 per cent of the public feel he should get his freedom after spending most of his adult life behind bars.

Read more here

The artwork shows Bronson's depiction of an asylum (Jam Press/Ebay)

Bronson's public parole hearing to resume today

The public parole hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice will continue today for notorious prisoner Charles Bronson.

The hearing on Wednesday is expected to begin with evidence from an independent psychologist commissioned by Bronson's legal team, then a community offender manager, and then a friend of Bronson's.

Charles Bronson said he is a 'normal geezer' (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

No hearing for Tuesday

The second day of the parole hearing will take place on Wednesday, March 8.

The Parole Board will be deciding if one of the UK's longest-serving prisoners should remain behind bars. He is the second inmate in UK legal history to have his case heard in public.

The hearing on Monday was punctuated with Bronson's outbursts and sighs. When the panel paused so his offender management could read documents, he said: "We're going to be here all f***ing day."

A list of Bronson's offences as he seeks parole for his crimes

By Flora Thompson and Margaret Davis, PA

• Bronson’s first conviction was in 1974 when he was 21 and was jailed for seven years for robbery, aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm.
• He was convicted for wounding again in 1975, 1978 and 1985, then in 1987 he was released from prison at the age of 34.
• After 69 days he was back in prison, sentenced in 1988 for seven years for robbery at a jewellers’ shop.
• He was later released from prison in 1992, but weeks later was jailed for eight years for intent to rob and has been behind bars since then for violent offences committed while in custody.
• In 1994 he was given seven years for false imprisonment and blackmail, then in 1997 he took a deputy prison governor, staff and three inmates hostage for which he received five years.
• Later, in 1999, he took an art teacher hostage for three days and was given a life sentence with a minimum term of three years which expired in 2003.
• In 2014 he was further sentenced to three years for assaulting a prison governor.

8 bizarre remarks notorious prisoner made during public parole hearing

Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson branded himself "almost an angel" while also saying he has little remorse for some of his hostage victims.

These are among some of the bizarre comments he made while trying to convince the panel of his public parole hearing that he's ready to be released.

It comes after he said "there’s nothing better than wrapping a governor up like a Christmas turkey" when talking about taking hostages in prison.

The Parole Board will be deciding if one of the UK's longest-serving prisoners should remain behind bars. He is the second inmate in UK legal history to have his case heard in public.

Read the full story here.

How long will the parole hearing go on for before we learn the outcome?

The Parole Board earlier confirmed the latest case review of one of the UK's longest-serving prisoners, to decide whether he should remain behind bars, began on Monday.

An application by Bronson's lawyers to request the hearing takes place in public was granted last year.

Dubbed one of Britain's most violent offenders, Bronson, who changed his surname to Salvador in 2014 after the artist Salvador Dali, has been in prison for much of the last 50 years, often spending time in solitary confinement or specialist units.

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.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday, March 8 with the outcome decided thereafter.