His aunt Eileen Parry said: "As a boy he was a lovely lad. He was obviously bright and always good with children. He was gentle and mild-mannered, never a bully - he would defend the weak."
. . .
After changing his name to Charles Bronson, the Hollywood actor, he made his money by bare-knuckle prize-fighting in the back streets of London's East End. With a black handlebar moustache, Bronson later became a circus strongman.
Known for his superhuman strength and violent outbursts, Bronson claims he holds the world record for "dwarf-throwing".
. . .
In 1998, seven years were added to his jail sentence after he took two Iraqi hijackers and another inmate hostage at Belmarsh prison in London.
He insisted his hostages call him "General" and told negotiators he would eat one of his victims unless his demands were met.
At one stage, Bronson demanded one of the Iraqis hit him "very hard" over the head with a metal tray. When the hostage refused, the 18-stone strongman slashed his own shoulder six times with a razor blade.
He demanded a getaway helicopter to take him to Cuba, two Uzi sub-machine guns, 5,000 rounds of ammunition and an axe.
. . .
But Bronson's supporters say that alongside his destructive temper, he has a gentle, caring side to his nature.
He has worked on anti-crime projects, designed to stop young people following in his footsteps.
A skilful cartoonist, he has had work published in several newspapers and men's magazines. Profits raised have gone to children's animal charities.
He once wrote to a museum and told them: "Men like me were born to be caged so leave the birds and animals alone or I'll rip your head clean off your shoulders, OK."
If men like this are put in prison, what then is freedom? There's a Brian Wilson song title, "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times." I think it applies to me and Charles Bronson, too: in rather different ways, of course, but still. . .
Free Charles Bronson
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