London: On the eve of his 80th birthday,
`Great Train Robber` Ronnie Biggs was released from a British
prison after being granted freedom on compassionate grounds.
Biggs, 79, is severely ill with pneumonia and Justice
Secretary Jack Straw approved his release after being told he
is unlikely to recover.
"His condition is not expected to improve. It is for that
reason that I am granting Mr Biggs compassionate release on
medical grounds," Straw said.
Biggs is in a prison hospital in Norwich. A series of
strokes has also left him bedridden.
Biggs`s son Michael said he was "absolutely delighted"
that Straw had reversed his decision on his father`s parole,
which was refused last month.
Speaking on BBC`s Today programme, he said: "My father
has served a very long time in prison.
"In comparison to sentences which are being handed out
nowadays it`s pathetic that anyone would expect my father to
serve 30 years for taking part in a train robbery.
"The reasons why my father didn`t get parole is, he
didn`t show any repentance. My father did show remorse all
through the years for having committed a crime.
"However, he has never regretted living the life he did,
because had he done that he would never have had me as a son."
Biggs, originally from Lambeth, was a member of a 15-
strong gang which attacked the Glasgow to London mail train at
Ledburn, Buckinghamshire, in August 1963, and made off with
2.6 million pounds in used banknotes.
Bureau Report
