08 March 2023 , 19:49
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Britain's most violent prisoner Charles Bronson has post-traumatic stress disorder after facing “brutal and unacceptable” treatment behind bars, a psychologist told his parole hearing.
The expert said the 70-year-old - who has spent 48 years behind bars - should be moved to a low security jail as he fought to be freed.
Bronson compared himself to a candidate on The Apprentice and called the parole judge “Lord Sugar” as he appeared in HMP Woodhill, Bucks.
A psychologist hired by Bronson’s legal team said Bronson previously harboured fears that “prison officers would kill him”.
She said he had “anti-authoritarian views” and “that was not going to change”.
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She said: “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.”
She added: “He feels like the whole system is about humiliating and degrading him.”
Charles Bronson has appealed for release on parole after decades behind bars (PA)Wearing a black T-shirt with white writing on it, and his trademark dark, round glasses, Bronson - whose real name is Michael Peterson - has previously been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
The hearing was told he is “naturally somewhat suspicious of other people’s motives” and holds “anti-authoritarian views”, the psychologist added.
Once dubbed one of Britain’s most violent offenders, Bronson has spent most of the past 48 years behind bars, for a string of thefts, firearms and violent offences.
He has admitted 11 hostage-takings in nine different sieges while behind bars. Victims included governors, doctors, staff and, on one occasion, his own solicitor.
He was handed a discretionary life sentence with a minimum term of four years in 2000 for taking a prison teacher at HMP Hull hostage for 44 hours.
Since then, the Parole Board has repeatedly refused to direct his release.
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The review heard that Bronson has a “romanticised” view of violent incidents in the past, after he told parole judges how he loved a “rumble” and enjoyed mass brawls in prison but insisted he has since found solace in art and is a man of “peace”.
“He found violence cathartic in the past,” the psychologist said. “I think now what he does is he tends to weigh up the pros and cons of violence to himself, that is an effective strategy.”
The hearing was told that Bronson has taken up art to curb his violent temper (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Bronson has never used a cash machine and will need practical support if released, the psychologist said.
As her evidence came to a close, Bronson commented of the hearing: “It’s like being on The Apprentice (with) Lord Sugar.”
He asked the panel to look at pieces of his artwork, telling them: “Every time I do a piece of artwork, it’s a piece of me.”
The pieces were laminated so the panel did not need to worry about leaving “fingerprints”, he added. A decision is expected later this month.
Bronson’s personal officer at the close supervision centre at HMP Woodhill said he 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.”
Richard Booth, who says he has known Bronson for a number of years, tells the hearing he held an exhibition selling pieces of his art.
In one night he claims his piece made £67,000 for charity and has raised £100,000 in total for good causes.
He said: “A lot of people who came are collectors of Charlie’s art but a lot of people didn’t know about his art. It was fantastic to see.”
Bronson described his friend as a “legend, an icon”.
The third and final day of the review will take place behind closed doors on Friday so confidential details can be discussed.
A decision will be made later this month.