Bronson's video nasty
Regional press news - this story published 17.8.2000
by HoldTheFrontPage staff 

Notorious "lifer" Charles Bronson has been the subject of many dramatic stories for the Hull Daily Mail in his time at the city's prison. 

This week, in a front page exclusive by crime reporter Chris Bucktin, the paper revealed that the man described as Britain's most feared inmate had sanctioned a three-hour £15.99 documentary video including footage of his forced imprisonment of educational officer Phil Danielson. 

The armed robber was sentenced to life in February after holding Mr Danielson at knifepoint in the Hedon Road jail for 44 hours. 

After hearing about the video, and obtaining a copy, the Mail brought Mr Danielson into its offices to see it for himself just days before it goes on sale. 

The video shows Bronson parading Mr Danielson around on a lead. The CCTV footage was obtained by Bronson after he elected to defend himself at the hostage trial at Luton Crown Court. 

A Prison Office spokesman confirmed to the Mail that Bronson had been allowed to see the tapes under advance disclosure rules which gives the defence the right to see the prosecution's evidence. He was not breaking any law by using them in the video. 

A furious Mr Danielson said he now wants the rules for use of evidence from court trials reviewed. 

Bronson has said proceeds from the video, called Sincerely Yours will be donated to his trust fund, Bronson's Children, which helps needy individuals. 

In its comment column, the Mail said: "It beggars belief that someone who has been the bane of the Prison Service for the past 26 years can be in a position to earn money from an incident in which he degraded a fellow human being. It matters not where the money is going, it simply should not be allowed to happen." 

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