Notorious inmate Charles Bronson refuses to appear via video link

Charles Bronson, known as Britain’s most notorious prisoner, refused to show his face for a video link in a court hearing this week – saying he ‘likes the smell of a court room’ and will only attend ‘in person’.

The 65-year-old is said to have assaulted a prison officer inside HMP Wakefield where he was being held on January 25 this year.

Bronson, who now goes by the name Charles Salvador, was due to to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court via video link from HMP Frankland on Wednesday.

Charles Bronson (pictured), known as Britain’s most notorious prisoner, refused to show his face for a video link in a court hearing this week – saying he ‘likes the smell of a court room’ and will only attend ‘in person’

However, it was agreed that the hearing would take place in his absence after magistrates were told that Bronson would not be produced from his cell.

The prisoner, who is currently serving a life sentence, refused to attend and said he would only appear ‘in person’ at the court – which is just under 90 miles from the prison.

Writing from his cell this week, Bronson said he wanted to ‘stand with pride’ in the real court room, rather than appear ‘on a TV screen’.

In a letter sent to his friend Rod Harrison, who was best man at his wedding to Paula Williamson last year, the inmate said he ‘couldn’t cope’ with new technology.

He wrote: ‘I don’t like all that technology s*** – a man needs to stand with pride in a court of law – dignity, respect – and fight his case like a man.

‘I like to smell the court room, breathe in the character of the place, the historic culture.

The 65-year-old is said to have assaulted a prison officer inside HMP Wakefield where he was being held on January 25 this year

The 65-year-old is said to have assaulted a prison officer inside HMP Wakefield where he was being held on January 25 this year

The 65-year-old is said to have assaulted a prison officer inside HMP Wakefield where he was being held on January 25 this year

Writing from his cell this week, Bronson said he wanted to ¿stand with pride¿ in the real court room, rather than appear ¿on a TV screen¿

Writing from his cell this week, Bronson said he wanted to ¿stand with pride¿ in the real court room, rather than appear ¿on a TV screen¿

Writing from his cell this week, Bronson said he wanted to ‘stand with pride’ in the real court room, rather than appear ‘on a TV screen’

‘I like to study the judge and the proceedings, the nostalgia. A court room is a place to learn (a place of truth), not a muggy TV screen.’

He added: ‘Will have to go and apologise to the judge – I can’t be part of a pathetic TV screen.

‘I will plead my not guilty and I shall then appear at trial in person – that’s how it is with me.’

‘Modern technology is something I can’t cope with – I find it embarrassing and degrading and humiliating (and it’s only done to save money).’

Bronson pleaded not guilty through his solicitor to assaulting a prison officer called Mark Docherty.

The prisoner was being held at HMP Wakefield, nicknamed Monster Mansion, which holds a mixture of Category A and B offenders, at the time of the alleged assault.

He was represented during the hearing by Kyles Legal and the case was listed under his birth name of Michael Gordon Peterson along with his current alias of Salvador.

Technical bail was granted and a trial was scheduled to take place at the court later this year on July 18. 

Bronson, who now goes by the name Charles Salvador, was due to to appear at Leeds Magistrates¿ Court (pictured) via video link from HMP Frankland on Wednesday

Bronson, who now goes by the name Charles Salvador, was due to to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court (pictured) via video link from HMP Frankland on Wednesday

Bronson is now in HMP Frankland (pictured) having been moved from HMP Wakefield

Bronson is now in HMP Frankland (pictured) having been moved from HMP Wakefield

Rod Harrison said yesterday that the CPS were ‘wasting time and money’ by charging Bronson with assault by beating. 

He wrote: ‘The CPS are wasting time and money charging Charlie with assault by beating which normally carries a sentence of 6 months this is a man that is serving a life sentence who will get two year knock back on his next parole.

‘He will not attend the video link to plead as he has no knowledge of technology due to over 38 years in solitary.’

Bronson was first locked up for armed robbery in 1974, but during his time inside he has taken hostages in 10 prison sieges, attacked at least 20 prison officers and caused £500,000 in damage in rooftop protests.

In 1999 he was given a life sentence after taking prison art teacher Phil Danielson hostage at HMP Hull after he criticised one of his drawings.

The notorious inmate hit the headlines again when he married for the third time in November 2017.

His marriage to 37-year-old Paula Williamson, an actress who starred in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, happened in a behind-closed-doors ceremony at the prison.

Past inmates at HMP Wakefield includes child killer Ian Huntley and the serial killer Harold Shipman. 

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