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Charles Bronson Is Cleared Of Attempted GBH On Prison Governor After Representing Himself

Charles Bronson Is Cleared Of Attempted GBH On Prison Governor After Representing Himself

He was first jailed in 1974 then began a bare-knuckle boxing career before being sent back to prison in '88 where he took numerous hostages

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

He once changed his name to mirror that of an American actor, then 27 years later changed it again as a mark of respect to his favourite artist, he's been dubbed 'Britain's most violent prisoner' but Charles Bronson - now Salvador - has been found NOT GUILTY after being accused of having attempted to cause grievous bodily harm to none other than the governor of the prison he was in.

During a trial at Leeds Crown Court, the 65-year-old inmate was acquitted of trying to gouge Wakefield Prison governor Mark Docherty's eyes out, while whistling the tune from The Great Escape.

After hearing the verdict he even had a gleeful dance to himself. Of course he did.

Throughout the four-day trial the flamboyant defended himself, and it was as bizarre as you would imagine - always one to make an impression, on the first day Salvador begun by insulting one of the jurors because of his weight.

Charles Bronson is on trial at Leeds Crown Court where he denies attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
PA

According to Leeds Live, presiding over the case, Judge Tom Bayliss QC, asked Bronson (who is now called Charles Salvador, btw) whether he had any objections to the three jurors who raised their hands when asked whether they had any connections to the prison service.

Salvador said he didn't have any problems, adding: "The big fat one there, I'll have him." Imagine Charles Bronson insulting you.

The judge told him: "Insulting the jurors at this stage is not a good plan."

But he wasn't finished, adding: "The one who has been eating all the pies, I'll have him".

Things can only get more professional and formal from here, right? Wrong. Really fucking wrong.

Prosecuting, Carl Fitch, begun outlining the case but the judge paused proceedings to allow journalists to enter the court. At which point Salvador asks: "Shall we have a sing song while we wait?"

Mr Fitch went on to explain how the offence he is on trial for allegedly committed happened on January 25 earlier this year.

He said: "He began to dance on his toes and started to whistle the tune to the movie The Great Escape.

"He wrapped his arms around Mr Docherty's neck with such force that he fell off his chair."

PA

The MailOnline reported that the court was told how, once Mr Docherty was on the floor, Bronson shouted: "You can fuck with me but you can never fuck with my mother."

He has admitted saying: "I'll bite your fucking nose off, I'll gouge your eyes out" but explained: "I can assure you. I've never bitten anyone's nose off in my life. Plus, I'm a vegetarian."

Salvador told the jury that he wanted to call his 'neighbour' Hannibal the Cannibal (aka serial killer Bob Maudsley) to give evidence but decided against it because he would have 'frightened the life out of you'.

Giving evidence Salvador said: "I was going to grab him in a bear hug - a gentle one, not a hard one, a gentle one. I was going to whisper in his ear, 'Where's my wife's photos?'

"Unfortunately, me being who I am, I believe the staff, the prison officers overreacted and I can understand why, I'm not blaming them..."

He later added: "I'm the only man on that unit that hasn't killed and the reason I haven't killed is because I'm not a killer. For once in my life, I really am an innocent man. Thank you very much for listening to me."

On the final day of the trial the judge went back overt he facts of the case and the arguments put forward by both sides and even took the opportunity to complement Salvador -who was not in court for the verdict - for his defence.

He said: "If I can complement Mr Salvador he asked pretty good questions. As I say, I stopped him when he was going off the point, but I didn't have to stop him too much."

And it seems it didn't go unnoticed by the jury, and despite Salvador's best efforts to offend one of them on the opening day, they acquitted him of the charges.

It was reported that as the verdict was read out, Salvador played out a little dance with his fists saying, 'British justice, best in the world. Thank you'.

That's about as Charles Bronson as it gets.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Leeds, News, Weird, CHarles Bronson, court