The beard of ‘Britain’s most violent prisoner’ goes under the hammer

Bronson, born in Luton as Michael Peterson, has recently changed his name again to Charles Salvador out of respect to his favourite artist.

The 61-year-old is spending life behind bars at HMP Full Sutton for a string of offences including armed robbery, GBH and threatening to kill.

But he wants to move away from notoriety to increase his chances of being freed and some of his artwork will be auctioned off in Towcester.

He said: “I have given this a lot of thought and I really have little choice but to kill Bronson off once and for all.

“I have become a hostage of my own notoriety. Bronson is burying any chance of me ever being freed.”

Towcester auctioneers JP Humbert is selling off the chunk of beard and paintings along with personal effects, clothing, signed books and a hand-made Christmas present.

Owner Jonathan Humbert said: “What is clear from the many stories that these items tell is that even though so many years have been served behind bars, the indomitable human condition still fights through with a clear sense of humour that prison walls cannot quell.”

A proportion of takings for the collection - being offered by the prisoner’s family - will go to The Brain Tumour Charity and Keech Cottage Hospice at Luton.

The sale takes place at JP Humbert Auctioneers, in Silverstone Business Park, from 5pm on October 9.

See a fully illustrated online catalogue here.