Several prominent British sporting figures have lent their voices to a controversial online campaign seeking the release of Charles Bronson, Britain's longest-serving prisoner.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, Chelsea football legends John Terry and Dennis Wise, and boxer Derek Chisora have recorded personal video messages supporting the 72-year-old convict's freedom.
The campaign has emerged on social media platforms, with sporting celebrities urging authorities to release Bronson after nearly five decades of incarceration.
Bronson, who legally changed his name to Charles Salvador in 2014, has remained behind bars since 1974, spending the majority of his imprisonment in solitary confinement.
Charles Bronson is renowned as Britain's most notorious prisoner
The high-profile endorsements represent an unusual intervention by sporting figures in a criminal justice matter that has captivated public attention for decades.
The Change.org petition advocating for the 72-year-old convict's freedom has accumulated thousands of signatures and gained traction through celebrity endorsements on social media.
Created eight months ago by artist Vanessa Mcneice, the petition titled "Grant Long-standing Prisoner Charles Salvador His Much Deserved Release" had garnered 4,736 signatures at the time of reporting.
The campaign argues that Bronson has utilised his imprisonment "as an opportunity to rehabilitate himself" and has "demonstrated remorse for his past actions."
Organisers maintain that five decades of incarceration exceeds appropriate punishment for his crimes.
The petition emphasises Bronson's transformation through artistic pursuits during the past 15 years, including charity fundraising through artwork sales.
Supporters contend that numerous offenders guilty of more serious crimes have served considerably shorter sentences than Bronson's near half-century behind bars.
Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry has lent his support to Charles Bronson
|TIKTOK
World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, Chelsea legends John Terry and Dennis Wise recorded supportive video messages for Bronson, urging authorities to grant his release.
Fury, 37, addressed his "old mate" directly, stating: "Hey Charlie, Tyson Fury here, your old mate. Long time no see. Hope you're doing really well buddy and it's time to get out of them places and keep yourself on the straight and narrow."
The boxer added: "Get up Charlie, let's get him home now boys, he's been in jail enough now - that's enough. Bring him home, let him out, come on Charlie. Home you come son."
Terry's message struck a similar tone: "Charlie, hello mate, it's John Terry. I hope you're doing well. It's time to get home now mate, get around some good friends, some good family members, enjoy their time mate and more importantly, enjoy your time now mate okay."
Bronson's criminal trajectory spanning five decades detailed, from initial seven-year sentence in 1974 through various violent incidents leading to discretionary life imprisonment in 2000.
Initially imprisoned at 21 years old for aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and firearm possession, Bronson received a seven-year sentence that would extend dramatically through repeated violent episodes.
Following a brief release in 1987, he returned to custody after 69 days for jewellery shop robbery, receiving another seven-year term.
A second release in 1992 proved equally short-lived, with an eight-year sentence for intent to rob keeping him incarcerated.
Tyson Fury is in full support of Charles Bronson
|TIKTOK
The turning point arrived in 2000 when Bronson held a prison teacher hostage for 44 hours at Hull prison, resulting in a discretionary life sentence.
Further violence against a prison officer in 2014 compounded his legal troubles, ensuring continued detention.
The petition's rationale explored, highlighting Bronson's artistic rehabilitation efforts and organisers' claims he should be freed to support his elderly mother.
Dennis Wise suggested Bronson could contribute to society through fitness instruction, stating: "I know your passion is fitness so maybe that's a direction that you can go in - in a fitness gym and help others. I'm vouching for you fella and hoping they see sense and give you the opportunity of enjoying life."
A petition to release Charles Bronson has garnered over 4,700 signatures
The campaign emphasises Bronson's artistic transformation, noting his work appeared at Angel tube station in 2010 and that he raised £510 for a child with cerebral palsy through an eBay auction.
Petition organisers stress the urgency of release to enable Bronson to care for his ageing mother, arguing his art sales would provide financial support for both.