Charles Bronson has become godfather to a six-year-old girl whose mum is campaigning for the long-serving prisoner’s release.
The notorious inmate has struck up a relationship with Maisie Mcneice and her daughter Angel, who have been in regular contact with him.
Maisie, 25, from Primrose Hill, north London, is gathering support for his release and is organising a show displaying his artwork.
She talks to the 72-year-old every day on the phone and feels she can trust him to look out for Angel, who has also exchanged letters with Bronson.
Maisie said: ‘They talk to each other all the time on the phone and he adores Angel.
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‘They’ve always had a good relationship, he sends her letters and art and she’s sent him letters and her own art as well.
‘They’ve always had a nice little relationship and I know I can trust Charlie completely.’
Bronson, who has changed his name to Charles Salvador, left Maisie a voicemail saying ‘I take it very, very seriously being a godparent’ and he is going to take Angel ‘to some lovely places’ when he is released.
He describes Maisie – who has visited Bronson over the past year – as a ‘lovely’ person who makes up for ‘all the pain and misery’ in the world.
‘Charlie is thrilled at becoming Angel’s godfather, it’s not just something that he is putting his name to, he is taking it seriously,’ Maisie said.
Bronson has spent 51 years in prison after first being jailed for armed robbery, before having his term repeatedly extended for attacks on prison staff and inmates. He has taken 11 people hostage.
However the admin worker wants the art show in London to reflect the ‘positives’ in Bronson’s life, from his childhood up to the present.
The former bare knuckle fighter, who is being held at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire, is preparing for a ninth parole hearing which is due to take place in October. He is one of the UK’s longest-serving prisoners.
In September 2024, he told Metro that ‘my soul is good’ and ‘I’ve got no regrets’ as he made the case for his release.
He said: ‘The people outside will go, oh, Charlie, never get out.
‘He doesn’t want to get out. Look what he’s done there.
‘Well, let me tell you something – I haven’t done nothing bad for the last nearly 10 years. I’ve practically been a model prisoner.
‘And that’s down to my art. And I’m bloody proud of it.’
Maisie has started a Change.org petition to grant Bronson his freedom, believing his long sentence is not ‘necessary or justifiable.’
Her family knew Bronson’s family from Luton, with Maisie’s mum initiating contact before her daughter began visiting and speaking on the phone.
‘I think he deserves a chance which no one has given him for so long,’ Maisie said.
The Charles Salvador Bronson Art Exhibition! takes place at the Karma Sanctum Soho London on July 11, with visitors promised the chance to ‘explore his raw and captivating pieces’.
Entry is free but the proceeds from sales of art and merchandise will go to the Born For Art charity which Bronson co-founded.
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