NOTORIOUS convict Charles Bronson has denied going berserk because Hull City lost the FA Cup final.
It was widely reported that Bronson, one of Britain's most violent criminals, had attacked 12 guards at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes because he was enraged when Hull City lost to Arsenal at Wembley last month.
But after new reports emerged saying he had raised thousands of pounds to send his mum on holiday as an apology for the incident, Bronson's supporters contacted the Hull Daily Mail to put forward his side of the story, insisting he was "not quite the wide-eyed maniac you portray him as".
A spokesman for the Charlie Bronson appeal fund said: "Charlie doesn't care much at all for football. He happened to mention in a personal letter that he'd just watched Hull lose.
"Charlie was involved in an altercation because the prison (again) illegally withheld his mail. He did not go 'berserk' and despite sensationalist reporting, he does not go mad for no reason. He reacts to ill treatment, of which he has suffered decades now. He is 14 years over his tariff. There are far more dangerous people walking the streets."
The spokesman also said Bronson had submitted the paintings for auction as a favour for Kate Kray, second wife to late London gangster Ronnie Kray.
The spokesman for Bronson said: "Kate Kray said she was doing an auction and asked Charlie if he'd like to contribute. He said 'yeah why not, stick a couple of bits in. Send the money to mum, cheer her up'. He did not expect a long-term friend to go to the press with the story of the incident as it was a personal letter. Two pieces were sold as well as two books. The money will go to Charlie's mum."
The spokesman also said Bronson had raised thousands "for needy individuals and charities" during his time in prison.
Bronson, 61, whose real name is Michael Peterson, is serving a life sentence for robbery and kidnap and has earned public notoriety with a history of violence both inside and outside jail. In prison there has been hostages taken in sieges, violence and damage in rooftop protests.
