CHARLES BRONSON: CAMPAIGNER’S WAKEFIELD PRISON VISIT BLOCKED

By Tony Gardner

15th August 2011

A campaigner fighting for the release of Britain’s most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson says he is being denied access to him in Wakefield prison – because he looks too much like him.

Gym owner Steve Swatton, 55, has been in a year-long battle with prison authorities after being constantly refused a visiting order for “security reasons”.

The bodybuilder, from Plymouth, is regularly mistaken for the category A prisoner and sports the same handlebar moustache and shaven head.

Last week he also acted as his “double” during a demonstration outside Buckingham Palace to get Bronson released.

Mr Swatton said: “I have filled in form after form, taken the matter up with the governor of Wakefield Prison, my local MP and even written to the European Court of Human Rights but nothing is working.

“The prison keep saying it is for security reasons but won’t state what they are. I can only think it is because I look so much like him and they are worried we could switch places when I go see him – it’s ridiculous.

“I’m not a criminal. I’m a hard working businessman. I can’t understand how I could be a security risk.”

Mr Swatton has organised fundraising events to raise awareness of the Free Bronson campaign, including doing a sponsored walk across Dartmoor dressed as a convict and had aeroplanes flown over prisons displaying banners calling for his release.

He added: “I suppose the only other reason I have been refused is that I have flown the flag for his release and the authorities don’t like that. But plenty of others who back his campaign have been allowed in to see him.”

Born Michael Peterson, the boxer had his named changed to Charles Bronson in 1987.

He has been in prison since the age of 19. Initially jailed in 1974 for robbery, his sentence has been repeatedly extended. He has served 30 years of his time in prison in solitary confinement due to repeated attacks on prison staff and inmates, including a number of hostage situations and rooftop protests.

In 2000 he received a discretionary life sentence for a hostage-taking incident.

In 1999 a special prison unit was set up for Bronson and two other violent prisoners to reduce the risk they posed to staff and other prisoners.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “All visits to Category A prisoners are subject to strict security checks.”