A Chelsea and England legend has called for the release of Charles Bronson, one of the UK’s most violent prisoners, and says he’s ‘vouching for him’
Britain’s most violent prisoner Charles Bronson(Image: Sunday Mirror)
A Chelsea and England legend has called for Charles Bronson aka ‘Britain’s most notorious prisoner’ to be released from jail.
Bronson, who has changed his name to Charles Salvador, has a long criminal record and was convicted of wounding while inside prison in 1975, 1978 and 1985. He was previously set free in 1987 and 1992, but was behind bars again within weeks of each release.
The 72-year-old – originally locked up for armed robbery – has also taken multiple hostages over the years, including a deputy prison governor in 1994. He was handed a discretionary life sentence with a minimum term of four years in 2000 for taking a prison teacher hostage for 44 hours.
Since then, the Parole Board has repeatedly refused to release him. His last parole review, in 2023, was his eighth. The infamous criminal is thought to be currently holed up at high-security HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire.
But his supporters and sympathisers have long fought for his release, with the campaign now being supported by Wimbledon, Chelsea and Millwall hero Dennis Wise. Speaking in a video shared by the account freecharlesbronson on Instagram, the former tough tackling midfielder, who played 21 times for England, said he was “vouching for” Bronson.
Chelsea and England legend Dennis Wise has voiced his support for Charles Bronson’s release from prison(Image: freecharlesbronson/Instagram)
Three-time FA Cup winner Wise, 58, said: “Hi Charlie, it’s Dennis Wise here. I know you’ve done nearly 50 years and maybe it’s time you get out now and go on the straight and narrow. There’s people out there nowadays that have done a lot worse than what you have done fella.
“So maybe it’s time now that everyone tries to help you and they make a decision and try and get you out in the real world. I’m sure there’s people out there that want to help you.”
The former I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here star added: “I know your passion is fitness. So that’s maybe a direction you can go in, in the fitness gym, and help others. So I’m vouching for you fella. I hope that they see sense and give you the opportunity of enjoying life.”
The video was posted with the caption: “Dennis Wise, former Chelsea footballer and manager, has added his voice to the growing support for Charles Bronson’s upcoming parole fight. Like many of us, Dennis believes enough is enough – it’s time for Charlie to finally be given his chance at freedom.”
Charles Salvador, better known as Charles Bronson(Image: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Dennis Wise in action for Chelsea(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Bronson’s next parole hearing is expected to be held in January. He refused to attend a hearing in October because it would not be held in public, leading to it being adjourned.
He was informed by a judicial Parole Board member in May that the hearing would be held in private, with his ex-wife Irene Dunroe saying he had branded the process a “waste of time”.
His last parole hearing in 2023 was one of the first to be held in public. Ms Dunroe said: “Last time he had lots of psychiatrists and doctors and officers in the prison speaking up for him so they have stopped all that again now.
“Of course it should be held in public, definitely. The truth is getting out and they know there is no reason why he should be locked up.”
Irene Dunroe, the ex-wife of Charles Bronson(Image: Tom Maddick / SWNS)Charles Bronson with his dog Della during time out from prison in 1992(Image: Press Association)
Bronson, born Michael Peterson before he changed his name to Charles Bronson after the famous Hollywood actor, was first jailed in 1974 at the age of 22, initially receiving a seven-year sentence for armed robbery.
Repeated violent incidents behind bars earned him a reputation as a dangerous inmate.
He was released in 1987, but spent just 69 days as a free man before being arrested and jailed again, after robbing a jewellery shop, which earned him an additional seven-year sentence.
Excluding a second brief spell of freedom in 1992, which ended when he was jailed for eight years for intent to rob, he has been in prison since.
In 2008, an award-winning film dedicated to Bronson, with Tom Hardy as the lead actor, was released. The former bare-knuckle boxer has also had multiple books published, showcasing his fitness regime behind bars and artwork.
