Britain's longest-serving inmate Charles Bronson shocked pubgoers this weekend by "joining" a karaoke night from his cell.
The 72-year-old appeared via video link from HMP Woodhill to sing for customers at The Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, on Saturday.
Bronson, who has spent more than half a century in prison, is permitted one phone call each night from the maximum security facility in Milton Keynes.
The unusual appearance was arranged by Julie Shaw, who hosts the pub's karaoke night and is also the ghost writer of Bronson's book.
Shaw announced the event on Facebook, writing: "For the first time ever, Britain's longest serving prisoner, Charles Bronson, is going to sing live from his maximum security prison, over the phone, to entertain the customers."
Bronson performed Frank Sinatra's "My Way", dedicating it to his "old mate" and notorious London gangster Ronnie Kray.
Video footage shows the pub falling silent during his performance before erupting into applause.
After finishing, Bronson could be heard saying "all the best to everybody, I love you all".
Bronson, born Michael Peterson and whose real name is Charles Arthur Salvador, was first imprisoned for armed robbery in 1974 at age 22.
He has developed a reputation as Britain's most violent prisoner during his time inside.
MORE ON CHARLES BRONSON:
Since his initial seven-year sentence, his continued bad behaviour has kept him behind bars with only brief periods of freedom.
During his incarceration, he has taken 11 hostages in nine prison sieges and attacked at least 20 prison officers. In 1999, he received a life sentence for kidnapping a prison art teacher.
He has also caused £500,000 in damage during rooftop protests.
Bronson's last parole hearing in March 2023 saw his application for release denied.
The parole board stated: "The panel was not satisfied that Mr Salvador was suitable for release."
They noted that Bronson had spent most of the last 48 years in custody, much of it in segregation, though acknowledged that Bronson "genuinely wants to progress" and "is motivated to work towards his release".
INSIDE BRITAIN'S PRISONS - READ NEXT:
A previous hearing was told that Bronson suffers from PTSD due to "brutal" treatment in prison.
His last conviction for a violent offence was in 2014 for assault.
Bronson is set to face the parole board for the ninth and final time later this year, with a possibility of release.
Surprisingly, Adrian Wallace, the 84-year-old former deputy governor of Hull Prison who was taken hostage by Bronson in 1994, now supports his application.
Wallace previously warned that Bronson showed "total lack of contrition or remorse" after the 2023 hearing.
However, he has since changed his position, stating authorities should "grasp the nettle" as "there is no evidence that he poses massive risk to the public."
Find Out More...
The 72-year-old appeared via video link from HMP Woodhill to sing for customers at The Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, on Saturday.
Bronson, who has spent more than half a century in prison, is permitted one phone call each night from the maximum security facility in Milton Keynes.
The unusual appearance was arranged by Julie Shaw, who hosts the pub's karaoke night and is also the ghost writer of Bronson's book.
Shaw announced the event on Facebook, writing: "For the first time ever, Britain's longest serving prisoner, Charles Bronson, is going to sing live from his maximum security prison, over the phone, to entertain the customers."
Bronson performed Frank Sinatra's "My Way", dedicating it to his "old mate" and notorious London gangster Ronnie Kray.
Video footage shows the pub falling silent during his performance before erupting into applause.
After finishing, Bronson could be heard saying "all the best to everybody, I love you all".
Bronson, born Michael Peterson and whose real name is Charles Arthur Salvador, was first imprisoned for armed robbery in 1974 at age 22.
He has developed a reputation as Britain's most violent prisoner during his time inside.
MORE ON CHARLES BRONSON:
- Charles Bronson's son issues stark warning after dad suffers 'brutal' treatment in jail
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- George Bamby admits he FAKED being Charles Bronson's son - 'We've made loads of money!'
Since his initial seven-year sentence, his continued bad behaviour has kept him behind bars with only brief periods of freedom.
During his incarceration, he has taken 11 hostages in nine prison sieges and attacked at least 20 prison officers. In 1999, he received a life sentence for kidnapping a prison art teacher.
He has also caused £500,000 in damage during rooftop protests.
Bronson's last parole hearing in March 2023 saw his application for release denied.
The parole board stated: "The panel was not satisfied that Mr Salvador was suitable for release."
They noted that Bronson had spent most of the last 48 years in custody, much of it in segregation, though acknowledged that Bronson "genuinely wants to progress" and "is motivated to work towards his release".
INSIDE BRITAIN'S PRISONS - READ NEXT:
- Justice system pushed to 'brink of collapse' by knee-jerk sentencing reform
- Ex-jail boss says ‘lawless’ prisons across Britain are bursting at the seams for shocking reason
- Sara Sharif's dad 'sliced in neck' with jagged tuna tin lid after being ambushed by Belmarsh inmates
A previous hearing was told that Bronson suffers from PTSD due to "brutal" treatment in prison.
His last conviction for a violent offence was in 2014 for assault.
Bronson is set to face the parole board for the ninth and final time later this year, with a possibility of release.
Surprisingly, Adrian Wallace, the 84-year-old former deputy governor of Hull Prison who was taken hostage by Bronson in 1994, now supports his application.
Wallace previously warned that Bronson showed "total lack of contrition or remorse" after the 2023 hearing.
However, he has since changed his position, stating authorities should "grasp the nettle" as "there is no evidence that he poses massive risk to the public."
Find Out More...