POLICE laid on an unprecedented security operation as the prisoner labelled "Britain's most dangerous man" gave evidence at a North-East trial.

Charles Bronson was jailed in 1974 and a series of violent outbursts have led him to spend more than 24 years in solitary confinement.

The 49-year-old, who received a further sentence of life just last year, was called to give evidence at Newcastle Crown Court in the trial of a fellow inmate, Raymond Gilbert, 43, who is accused of assaulting a prison officer.

The Quayside court complex was surrounded by extra security while police and prison officers roamed the corridors.

Two police officers sat outside of court one, which has the court's highest security dock, and Bronson entered the courtroom flanked by seven prison officers.

A further four officers were already in the dock and Bronson, with his shaven head and enormous beard, had not only his hands handcuffed together but was cuffed to an officer.

Bronson wore a luminous green and yellow boiler suit with the words "HM PRISONER" emblazoned in heavy black lettering across the back.

Unusually in a crown court case, Bronson was not allowed to leave the dock to give his evidence in the witness stand.

The dock remained firmly secure while Bronson confirmed his full name and age, and after confirming that he had converted to the Muslim faith, he swore on oath to Allah that he would tell the truth from behind the toughened glass screen.

Fellow-lifer Raymond Gilbert, who was jailed for murder in 1981, is accused of attacking prison officer Marie-Teres Corner on June 5 last year.

He admits punching the officer, who is still receiving specialist treatment for back and neck injuries after landing on a metal staircase, but says he launched the attack in a bid to be taken off Durham Prison's infamous G-wing.

Gilbert is claiming the defence of duress, in that he had no option but to punch the prison officer as he feared if he was not taken out of the close supervision centre and transferred to another prison, he too would have been killed by another prisoner.

Bronson confirmed knowing Brookes after first meeting him in Ashworth Asylum in 1984 and again at Bellmarsh top security prison in 1993.

Asked by defence barrister Jamie Adams to describe Brookes, Bronson said: "He is the closest thing you will get to anything off the Planet of the Apes with a brain the size of a peanut."

During cross examination by Alec Burns, Bronson made a comment about his treatment in prison. He said: "Why should I behave when I'm in a cell with a concrete bed and no windows. I'm not a dog. I'm a human. If a dog was treated like that someone would call in the RSPCA."

Gilbert denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the trial continues.