BRITAIN'S most notorious prisoner, Charles Bronson, has been asked by his manager to stop advertising a video of his exploits in jail on his official fan club website, London's High Court was told.

Bronson's Gateshead-based manager, Steve Richards, is facing a Home Office bid to have him jailed for allegedly continuing to advertise the video on the Internet in defiance of court orders.

But Richards, who denies contempt of court, yesterday insisted that it was Bronson and his agents who continued to advertise the Sincerely Yours video, which includes copyrighted excepts of CCTV camera footage of Bronson in Hull and Birmingham prisons.

Bronson would not remove the advert from his website, Bronsonmania.com, despite his requests, said Richards.

Home Secretary Jack Straw claims Richards is in contempt of High Court orders banning him from selling, distributing or advertising the video. Asked by Mr Justice Pumfrey what his role as Bronson's manager entailed, Richards said he was preparing in advance for his release from jail.

Richards, who describes himself as a writer and investigator, refused to disclose openly to the court the locations from where he runs his business.

The case continues.