Charles Bronson claims he now ‘hates violence’ in voice note from prison
Britain’s most notorious inmate Charles Bronson has claimed he now “hates violence” and has been a “model prisoner” for the last decade.
In a voice note sent to Sky News, Bronson said he has “never been a danger to the public” and that “I love the world”.
Bronson, 70, was jailed for armed robbery in 1974 and, but for a couple of brief episodes of freedom, has been in jail ever since.
His original seven-year sentence has been extended many times because of his violent attacks on prison staff and fellow inmates.
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He will learn tomorrow if he has persuaded the Parole Board to free him – but he is not hopeful.
The panel is expected to reject even his secondary plea – for a move to an open prison – and announce he must stay behind the bars of the special secure unit where he is held.
Bronson hopes that if he fails this eighth bid for parole the board members will at least suggest a gradual reduction in the strict security that surrounds him most of the time and allows him only 90 minutes out of his cell each day.
The board has powers only to order release, a move to an open jail, or stay where he is.
Bronson said in his voice message: “They keep f****** drumming it into the public I’m a danger. Who am I a danger to? I’ve never been a danger to the public. I love people, love ’em, I love the world. I’m not a f****** filthy terrorist or a rapist, or a murderer, so who am I dangerous to outside?”
Bronson was jailed for armed robbery in 1974
He added: “I want to go home, I’m an artist born again. I hate violence, I despise it and that’s all I’ve done for the last ten years, sit in my cell, a model prisoner, polite, respectful but they still won’t let me out.”
During his parole hearing earlier this month a prison psychologist said although Bronson posed a moderate risk of violence inside jail, it would be a high risk if he was freed.
Another psychologist, Kerry Daynes, who was called by Bronson, said she felt he should probably stay where he is and be given a gradual introduction to open conditions.
Bronson, who has changed his name to Charles Salvador, told the public hearing that he is now a man of peace and had not been violent for many years. He realised any repeat of his old behaviour would probably mean spending the rest of his life in jail.
During the hearing, held at Woodhill Prison near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, Bronson handed the three board members examples of his artwork, telling them: “Each piece of art is a piece of me.”
A young rapper named Ice-T-21 is hoping that if Bronson is released they could collaborate in a campaign to help cut youth knife crime.
He said: “I’m hoping to record a song with him, make some poetry, I want him to get on stage with me. He is someone who has been involved in many violent incidents, but has turned his life around. I think it would work because a lot of people would listen to him because of who he is.”
Weather warnings are in place for snow, wind and rain across much of the UK on New Year’s Day.
The start of 2025 will bring a “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air,” said Sky News meteorologist Christopher England.
Pic: Met Office
The most significant snowfall on New Year’s Day will be from Donegal, across Northern Ireland and into the north of England and south of Scotland.
The wind looks strongest in the south, Mr England added, where 60mph winds are possible inland and 80mph gusts around the coasts of the Irish Sea.
The stormy weather continues on 2 January, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings across England, Wales and parts of Scotland.
The UK has faced widespread disruption over the last few days, as thick fog descended.
Tens of thousands of passengers had flights delayed or cancelled, while drivers were warned about dangerous conditions with poor visibility.
Revellers are also set for a “wet and rather windy” New Year’s Eve, with the potential for a snowy Hogmanay in Scotland.
There could be some “possibly disruptive weather” on 31 December, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said, with Scotland likely to see the worst of it.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 70mph that may cause travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.
The alert, in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday, covers most of Northern Ireland as well as north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.
The forecaster also warned that delays to transport are likely, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in most areas.
Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts.
A pensioner who is refusing to leave what’s being branded Britain’s loneliest housing estate has told Sky News he is facing bullying and intimidation tactics to force him out.
Nick Wisniewski’s ex-council flat in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire is set to be demolished because the local authority wants to redevelop the area, which has become a derelict eyesore.
The vast area on the outskirts of Glasgow used to have almost 1,000 properties, but slowly the bulldozers have moved in, creating huge mounds of rubble where homes once stood.
The land is overgrown, with all remaining properties boarded up – apart from the retired bank worker’s home, which demolition teams have been unable to touch as he refuses to budge.
Nick Wisniewski claims he is being bullied to leave his home
Rubble where homes on the estate once stood
‘They’ll basically need to drag me out’
The 68-year-old, whose neighbours were all rehomed in 2023, bought the flat in 2017 under the discounted right-to-buy scheme and is now mortgage-free.
He told Sky News he rejected an initial offer from North Lanarkshire Council of £35,000 plus two year’s rent as it would not be enough to buy a new place.
Contemplating a time in the future when he is forced out, he said: “By law they can smash my door down, they can come in here, manhandle me to get me out. That’s the law, and they’ll basically need to drag me out.”
Asked if he is prepared to go to that length to stop himself being removed, he said: “I am hoping it doesn’t come to that, but if it does then so be it.”
He reveals a compulsory purchase order process is now under way.
A compulsory purchase order is the legal power given to a local council to buy a property without the owner’s consent.
The legal battle will now be resolved by the Scottish government in due course.
There used to be almost a thousand properties on the estate
He said: “It’s been all intimidation, bullying, lies. They offered me £40,000 over a year ago. I thought they’d have offered me a wee bit more. I would accept, probably, £60,000.
“They had a meeting a couple of weeks ago saying that they are starting legal, which means compulsory purchase order.
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“There’s so many stages to that and it’ll take a while for that to come in to force.”
North Lanarkshire Council told Sky News it “completely refutes” any allegations of bullying or intimidation.
A spokesman said: “We are continuing to try and engage with the remaining resident and our focus is on progressing our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple for the benefit of the local community.”
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