Ray campaigning to set feared convict Charles Bronson free
By Andrea Thompson
Published on 27/07/2005 

A MARYPORT man counts some of the world’s most notorious killers among his best friends after writing to them in prison.

Focsa lorry driver Ray Kray, 32, even asked Charles Bronson to be his son’s godfather after being introduced to him in 1998 by Reggie Kray.

Bronson and Ray now regularly write to one another and Ray has visited him five times in prison. Although no relation of the infamous gangster family, the Krays, Ray became friends with the three brothers and their criminal associates after writing to them. He has numerous signed photographs and books from them.

Ray is campaigning for the release of Bronson – Britain’s most feared convict – and was due to stage a rooftop protest in London this week which he called off following security concerns in the wake of the bombing.

He wants Bronson – who he refers to as Charlie – to be downgraded from a category A prisoner, so that he can have open prison visits. That would mean Bronson would be able to hug his mother before she dies and meet his godson, Ray’s seven-month-old baby, Aiden.

Bronson was initially jailed in 1974 for robbery and inflicting wounds. His sentence has been repeatedly extended and he has been put in solitary confinement following repeated attacks on prison staff and inmates. He has held several rooftop protests and taken hostages in some of his 120 different prisons. 

But Ray said the notorious hard man is a changed man with a good sense of humour and caring side.

“He never murdered anyone. He hasn’t committed any crimes against children and yet he’s locked up in his cell 23 hours a day,” he said. “Paedophiles have open visits and access to TVs and computers.

“He has not caused any trouble for the last five years and for a man classed as Britain’s most dangerous prisoner, that’s an achievement.”

Ray has always been interested in criminology and recently passed a college course on the subject.

He said Bronson was delighted to be asked to be Aiden’s godfather. Bronson wrote: “It’s an honour to be a godfather. ‘Big responsibility’ – be proud to. You could have picked a lot better, but you could have picked a lot worse. A kid to me is a priceless gift of life.”

Ray said Bronson cares so much about children that he uses artwork he creates to raise money for Liverpool baby hospice, Zoe’s Place. 

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