For once in my life, I am innocent...
Bronson cleared of GBH on jail boss
BRITAIN’S most violent inmate Charles Bronson has been cleared of trying to bite off a prison governor’s nose in a row over photos of the con’s wedding to a soap actress.
Bronson, a brawny 65-year-old former prize fighter, admitted whistling The Great Escape theme tune before launching himself at HMP Wakefield governor, Mark Docherty.
But he said he intended to give Mr Docherty a bear hug, not attack him and would “never have bitten the governor’s nose off ” because “I’m a vegetarian”.
Bronson denied attempting to cause GBH with intent, and during his fourday trial, told jurors: “For once in my life, I really am an innocent man.”
Mr Docherty admitted his relationship with the defendant, who stood trial as Charles Salvador, after changing his name from his favourite actor’s to honour artist Salvador Dali, was “not good” when they met on January 25.
The governor said: “I could see Mr Salvador look to draw a punch or to grab me by the neck. As I grabbed hold of his arm I went back into the chair.” He ended up on the floor, with Bronson on top of him.
Mr Docherty said: “He was just squashing my face. I could hear him say, ‘I will take your f ****** eyes out’.”
Mr Docherty said five colleagues, managed to haul Bronson off him, but he still suffered whiplash and needed physiotherapy for his injuries.
Responding to the whiplash claim, Bronson, who represented himself at Leeds crown court via a video link from jail, asked: “Are you having a laugh?”
He accused Mr Docherty of telling “porky pies” about the incident, which happened after Bronson was banned from seeing photos of his wedding last November to former Coronation Street actress Paula Williamson, 37.
He said the marriage would “soon” be over. He was angry after she flirted with men in Tenerife earlier this year.
As he was cleared, Bronson danced and waved his arms, saying: “British justice system, best in the world. Thank you.” He has been inside since 1974 when he was jailed for armed robbery.