Charles Bronson's first wife still writes to him - and says she 'can't rest' until he is free

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The first wife of notorious prisoner Charles Bronson says she cannot rest until his release - insisting he is 'not into crime anymore'. After years without contact, Irene Dunroe is back in touch with Bronson, over the phone and writing letters to her infamous ex.

He was first locked up for armed robbery back in 1974 and he remains behind bars at HMP Woodhill, in Milton Keynes, now aged 70. During his time inside, he has taken hostages in 10 prison sieges, attacked at least 20 prison officers and caused £500,000 in damage in rooftop protests.

Bronson, who lived in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, is currently serving a life sentence for taking prison art teacher Phil Danielson hostage at HMP Hull after he criticised one of his drawings. But while earning the name of Britain's most violent and notorious prisoner, his first wife Irene believes his actions were 'in retaliation' to his treatment in prison, the Liverpool Echo reports.

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Irene, from Barnston, Wirral, still refers to Bronson by his birth name Michael (Mick) Peterson. She claims he's now turned his back on crime and is hoping a public parole hearing this summer will lead to his release.

Irene, 70, said: "His crimes are because of the way he's been treated inside in retaliation. The way he's been treated, some of the things you would not believe. He used to write to me and tell me what had happened."

Irene said Bronson, who has been transferred to different prisons across the country over the last 45 years, has 'had some of the worst living conditions ever', with large periods of time spent in solitary confinement. He was released in 1988 for a short time before returning to jail soon after.

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