Tyson Fury, John Terry and Dennis Wise are among the high-profile sports stars backing a viral campaign calling for the release of notorious British prisoner Charles Bronson.
Bronson, 72, has been behind bars for most of the past 50 years after first being jailed at the age of 21 in 1974, with the majority of his time spent in solitary confinement.
Despite only receiving an initial seven-year sentence, Bronson, born as Michael Gordon Peterson, has been in and out of jail over the last half a century, becoming one of the UK’s longest-serving prisoners.
A petition campaigning for the release of Bronson, who in 2014 changed his name to Charles Salvador in a mark of respect to surrealist artist Salvador Dali, has recently gained momentum on social media after attracting the support of top sports stars.
The Change.org petition, titled ‘Grant Long-standing Prisoner Charles Salvador His Much Deserved Release’, was created eight months ago and has since garnered over 4,700 signatures.
Former world heavyweight champion boxer Fury, 37, showed his support for his ‘old mate’ Bronson by sending a message to the convict in a video on social media.
During his limited time on the outside, Bronson carried out a brief career in bare-knuckle boxing, fighting in multiple illegal bouts.
‘Hey Charlie, Tyson Fury here, your old mate. Long time no see. Hope you’re doing really well buddy and it’s time to get out of them places and keep yourself on the straight and narrow,’ the Gypsy King said in a video online.
‘Get yourself home and be good. I really look forward to seeing you again soon. All the best, good luck, God bless you. Peace out from the Gypsy King.
‘Get up Charlie, let’s get him home now boys, he’s been in jail enough now – that’s enough. Bring him home, let him out, come on Charlie. Home you come son.’
Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea stars Terry and Wise posted similar video messages online.
‘Charlie, hello mate, it’s John Terry,’ the former Blues captain said in a video released to social media on November 7.
‘I hope you’re doing well. It’s time to get home now mate, get around some good friends, some good family members, enjoy their time mate and more importantly, enjoy your time now mate okay.
‘I wish your family well and I hope to see you very soon’.
Meanwhile, his former Chelsea team-mate said in a separate video: ‘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 are a lot of people nowadays who have done a lot worse than you’ve done fella, so maybe it’s time now everyone tries to help you and make a decision to help you get out in the real world.
‘I’m sure there’s people out there who want to help you. I know your passion is fitness so maybe that’s a direction that you can go in – in a fitness gym and help others.
‘I’m vouching for you fella and hoping they see sense and give you the opportunity of enjoying life.’
Boxer Derek Chisora has also thrown his weight behind the campaign in a video online.
‘Hey Charles, what’s happening, it’s your boy War Chisora here. Listen, we need you out, we definitely need you out. You need to come out, enjoy this beautiful British weather we have (which is rainy and cold as usual) – but we want you out brother,’ he said in the video posted to the campaign’s Facebook page on November 9.
‘We will fight for you to come out and God bless man. War!’
Bronson’s seven-year sentence in 1974 for aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm was extended several times after violent attacks on inmates and prison staff.
The notorious prisoner was briefly released in 1987 at the age 34, before being slapped with another seven-year sentence 69 days later for robbing a jewellery shop.
After another short release in 1992, he was jailed for eight years for intent to rob and has since remained in custody for a string of violent crimes committed behind bars.
He was given a discretionary life sentence in 2000 for taking a prison teacher hostage for 44 hours in Hull prison.
Although the victim was not physically hurt by Bronson, the teacher was left traumatised by the experience, and a special prison unit was subsequently set up later that year to reduce the risk he posed to staff and other inmates.
The 72-year-old convict was sentenced again in 2014 for assaulting a prison officer.
During the past 15 years, Bronson has turned to art and raised money for charities by auctioning his work.
BBC News reported in 2010 that Bronson’s artwork was displayed on the London Underground for two weeks at Angel tube station, and he later raised £510 for the treatment of a child with cerebral palsy by selling one of his Ronnie Kray tribute pieces on eBay.
The Change.org campaign, set up by artist Vanessa Mcneice, argues strongly that Bronson has used his incarceration ‘as an opportunity to rehabilitate himself’ and that he has ‘demonstrated remorse for his past actions’.
The petition also urged that Bronson should be freed to care for his ageing mother.
‘Charles Salvador Bronson has been incarcerated for 50 years – a period well past his destined time,’ the petition description begins. ‘He has not let the confinement of prison walls hinder his personal growth.’
‘His rehabilitation and his contributions to society are proof enough that he has significantly changed his life for the better.
‘Furthermore, Charles has a very significant reason for urgently needing his freedom – his aging mother. Unable to provide her with the support she requires from behind bars, Charles yearns to be by her side during her golden years.
‘The art he creates and sells would allow him to provide for both himself and his mother, making an invaluable contribution to her life and well-being.’
