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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Charles Bronson

79 replies

BourbonBon · 01/03/2023 12:39

He’s up for parole next week.

I was previously of the opinion that he should be released, he’s been locked up for over 40 years, he’s never killed anyone and he’s nearly 70 … he’s also not “misbehaved” in years.

However, after watching the documentary that came out on Monday, I’m not sure anymore! He shows no remorse at all for what he’s done in the past and outright admits that if people wind him up, he’ll snap.

He recounts his past violence like he’s recalling good memories.

Plus, he’s been in isolation for years, so of course his “incidents” will be far and few between as he has nobody to kick off with.

Basically, I wouldn’t want to live next door to him! Imagine if you fall out over parking or he takes exception to your barking dog etc?

I also don’t believe that George character is really his son. I believe the pair of them decided to make up this story to help keep him in the public eye. George admits that they both make up stories for a laugh and he can get him in the tabloids at the drop of a hat.

YABU - he’s done his time, let him out
YANBU - I wouldn’t want him as my neighbour either, keep him in.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 03/03/2023 23:50

It's just that to me, it didn't look like it was being secretly filmed from the angles and openness

NevieSticks · 04/03/2023 00:30

purpleme12 · 03/03/2023 23:50

It's just that to me, it didn't look like it was being secretly filmed from the angles and openness

It said right at the beginning that his son was secretly filming him.

purpleme12 · 04/03/2023 00:31

Yes I know.
I was just saying that it didn't seem like it was secretly filmed.

NevieSticks · 04/03/2023 00:39

I think Bronson thinks the Uk see him as some Robin Hood type character hence wanting the public parole hearing - I think he would be very disappointed.

704703hey · 04/03/2023 00:42

It's not likely he'll be released.

That prompted a memory of Paula Williamson, I had no idea why she married him and it's sad she had an early death

Original poster
BourbonBon · 04/03/2023 05:32

purpleme12 · 03/03/2023 23:45

Do you think they faked the DNA results?
I guess the son comes across as shady enough to do it

I think the most likely scenario is that the pair of them saw a business opportunity - by claiming to be his long lost son he could keep Bronson in the headlines (remember he’s a paparazzi with journo links) and in return he gets a bit of fame for himself and a money making opportunity. He’s refused to take an independent DNA test and the one he claims to have used have said that they wouldn’t have been able to do a test on two hairs, it would have had to be saliva.

I also don’t believe he wants Bronson to get out, he makes him more money whilst he’s still behind bars and I believe the purpose of that documentary was to show Bronson in the worst light possible. Bronson was either in on it or too thick to realise what he was doing.

OP posts:
Jooliusreezer · 04/03/2023 06:11

BourbonBon · 01/03/2023 12:48

I don’t think he will either, you can see he’s high risk of reoffending and if they let him out and he goes on to kill someone …

He prides himself on the fact that he’s never actually killed anyone but that has simply been luck on his side, he’s certainly tried to kill people in the past!

The bloke he strangled in broadmoor would have died if he hadn’t been wrestled off him. He was even boasting that he couldn’t be tried for that as he was certified insane at the time. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

Show quote history

That victim’s heart stopped. It was only by virtue of a defibrillator that he’s not an untried murderer.

It’s done him no favours at all. He’s an interesting character but he’s unpredictable, deeply manipulative and heavily, heavily institutionalised. He’ll be a twitchy, unprepared time bomb on the outside.

AngelDelightUK · 04/03/2023 06:21

Many years ago, I worked for a charity which worked for a group of prisons. Every month (I think) there was a prison magazine which went out for prisoners, but we always got a copy. Every month without fail Bronson had written into it, either correcting something from the previous month, or complaining about something, or sending in his latest art work. He’s a very articulate guy, and it’s almost like he sees himself as the messiah. There was always something about his letters to the magazine which made my spine shiver.

Jimboscott0115 · 04/03/2023 06:37

While I get the argument, there's significantly worse that have been released and I'm not convinced Bronson would do much if he got out anyway, he'd be a celebrity of some description and in the public eye - that, I can almost guarantee.

I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over him being released.

SnowyPetals · 04/03/2023 06:54

I think he would need to rapidly recalibrate his relevance if he were released. On the outside, he isn't in prison, he just becomes another ageing criminal, none of this "top dog" crap.

HappinesDependsOnYou · 04/03/2023 07:21

I haven't watched it but from what I have see/heard of him in the past I think he enjoys being feared and being treated like a murderer without commiting a murder is almost a boast for him. "look how scary I am that I don't even have to kill to get a life sentence. murderers do less time as they are less feared" kind of attitude.

sashh · 04/03/2023 07:26

bloodyplanes · 01/03/2023 13:35

Considering some of the absolute pondlife that do get paroled I think it's disgusting this man has been kept locked up for so long!

The teacher he kidnapped was never able to work again. Bronson was given a life sentence for that kidnapping and it wasn't his first.

He has attacked and attempted to kill numerous people.

He should never be allowed out.

IHaveaSetOfVeryParticularSkills · 04/03/2023 07:38

Agree with @XDownwiththissortofthingX

As far as I know he doesn't actually want to get out. He is just that used to it

bellac11 · 04/03/2023 07:49

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 03/03/2023 23:06

I think Bronson is an absolutely fascinating character, and I think you can find him curious and interesting while simultaneously acknowledging that he is unsavoury, and not some sort of hapless folk hero who has never really done anything seriously wrong.

I do think it highly unlikely that he would be able to integrate and function healthily if he were to be released, and I suspect he will not be granted parole. He is a useful example though of this odd system we still practice in the UK where crimes have specific sentences, but in reality they can be arbitrarily extended on the whims of a few individuals. I think things went awry with Bronson many, many years ago, and that had he first been incarcerated as a young man in 2023 rather than the 1970's his life might have turned out somewhat differently.

I have sympathy for the victims of his crimes, but it's also difficult not to feel a little bit of unease and sympathy at the way he has been institutionalised and rendered unfit for release by a system that is supposed to rehabilitate. Most of it his own doing of course, but he is a pertinent example of an utterly failed system.

He also has a choice about whether he wants to take the opportunity to be rehabilitated. You cant rehabilitate someone who is clearly unstable, unwilling to stop causing harm to others.

Ilovemycatalot · 04/03/2023 08:55

Bronson confessed he killed a dog with his bare hands for a bet and says it’s the only crime he ever regrets. A vile man who should never be let out.

FrenchTrellis · 04/03/2023 09:38

I wouldn't like to be his probation officer if he is released 🤣 which he won't. The risk of serious harm is too high.

He's done himself no favours by keeping himself in the limelight, as like a pp said, people will search him out and wind him up. Someone gets hurt and then back into prison he goes.

sashh · 04/03/2023 10:32

I do think it highly unlikely that he would be able to integrate and function healthily if he were to be released, and I suspect he will not be granted parole. He is a useful example though of this odd system we still practice in the UK where crimes have specific sentences, but in reality they can be arbitrarily extended on the whims of a few individuals.

Whims?

He took numerous hostages, terrified them, treated them inhumanly, attempted to kill at least two others.

These are not little japes he should be forgiven for.

NevieSticks · 04/03/2023 10:38

Even that repulsive murderer who is now released says that Bronson hasn't changed and nor has he himself. They both still have the attitude he said.

Original poster
BourbonBon · 04/03/2023 10:55

Ilovemycatalot · 04/03/2023 08:55

Bronson confessed he killed a dog with his bare hands for a bet and says it’s the only crime he ever regrets. A vile man who should never be let out.

Yeah it was a Rottweiler. Back in his bare knuckle fighting days it got to the point where nobody would fight him so they put him up against dogs. Vile.

OP posts:
XDownwiththissortofthingX · 04/03/2023 11:49

sashh · 04/03/2023 10:32

I do think it highly unlikely that he would be able to integrate and function healthily if he were to be released, and I suspect he will not be granted parole. He is a useful example though of this odd system we still practice in the UK where crimes have specific sentences, but in reality they can be arbitrarily extended on the whims of a few individuals.

Whims?

He took numerous hostages, terrified them, treated them inhumanly, attempted to kill at least two others.

These are not little japes he should be forgiven for.

The comment you are remarking on is clearly a comment about the system we practice and not the particulars of Bronson himself. In any case, he served his punishment for the events that you mention.

"Whims" is perfectly appropriate, because despite the fact that prosecutions are enacted by the 'State' on behalf of the 'public', when it comes to parole hearings the individual is then subject to a process whereby their fate is subject to the decision of a literal handful of individuals, or even more bizarrely, on occasion it's one single individual in the shape of the Home Secretary.

It's completely discordant with the entire concept of public justice carried out by the State on behalf of the whole, and the idea that you can be subjected to a standard tariff, only for that to be extended indefinitely is in itself an enormous human rights quandary. We did away with 'whole life tariff' because of the obvious contradiction when the purpose of incarceration is purported to be rehabilitation, so while I do not personally believe Bronson is fit for release, it is absolutely correct that his hearing should be a public hearing, because the process itself is already dubious enough without it also being carried out in secret.

If Bronson needs to stay in prison for the sake of public safety, then it's entirely proper that he should know why, the public should know why, and the people charged with taking that decision explain themselves fully.

Thesharkradar · 04/03/2023 14:44

Ilovemycatalot · 04/03/2023 08:55

Bronson confessed he killed a dog with his bare hands for a bet and says it’s the only crime he ever regrets. A vile man who should never be let out.

Putting dogs above humans, the mark of a true psychopath.

AutumnScream · 04/03/2023 15:44

He currently has an art exhibition running in London doesn't he? Good timing.

I dont believe he will ever get out he is too institutionalised. He isnt even on a normal prison wing so theres no chance he will go from years of solitary to the outside world.

queenrollo · 04/03/2023 16:26

The public persona built around him and the way people see him as some kind of folk hero is really distasteful.
I know people who have had to deal with him in a professional capacity and the man is deeply unpleasant, and very dangerous and should absolutely not be let out.

cunderthunt1 · 09/03/2023 09:20

Does anyone actually believe George Bamby is his son?

Original poster
BourbonBon · 09/03/2023 09:55

cunderthunt1 · 09/03/2023 09:20

Does anyone actually believe George Bamby is his son?

Nope, it’s a scam. Bronson has apparently said he “stitched him up” with regards that documentary and he no longer wants anything to do with him

OP posts: