Britain’s most notorious prisoner could soon walk free

He's spent half a century behind bars

Last month, Charles Bronson, 73, fired his lawyer after his request for a public hearing was rejected.

Bronson, who has spent 52 years in prison was unhappy with the decision, telling Sky News in a letter: "Sacked the legal team!"

Since then a new solicitor seems to have got a postponement of the review until today, when the Parole Board panel will assess his application.

The panel will consider written statements from prison staff, psychiatrists, probations staff and Bronson's legal team, ultimately to decide if he is safe to be freed.

The possible outcomes could see Bronson freed, recommended for a move to an open prison, delay proceedings, or hold an oral hearing.

This is Bronson's ninth appeal to the Parole Board, with the prisoner spending much of his half century in jail in solidarity confinement.

Charles Bronson – Crimes & Punishments

1974 – Armed Robbery

• Stole £26 from a post office in Cheshire.
• Sentence: 7 years in prison.

1970s–1980s – Prison Violence

• Multiple assaults on inmates and prison officers.
• Hostage-taking incidents.
• Punishment: Repeated sentence extensions and high-security confinement.

Late 1980s–1990s – Broadmoor & Further Hostages

• Violent incidents at Broadmoor Hospital.
• 1996: Held a teacher hostage at HM Prison Hull for 44 hours.
• Sentence: Life imprisonment (2000).

2000s–2010s – Continued Prison Offences

• Further assaults and property damage.
• Punishment: Ongoing segregation and maximum-security conditions.