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| Great Train Robber Biggs released | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been formally released from prison after being granted freedom on compassionate grounds. | |
| Biggs is severely ill with pneumonia and Justice Secretary Jack Straw approved his release on Thursday after being told he is unlikely to recover. | Biggs is severely ill with pneumonia and Justice Secretary Jack Straw approved his release on Thursday after being told he is unlikely to recover. |
| The Ministry of Justice signed-off on his licence conditions, granting his formal release. | |
| It said Biggs was now under the supervision of the Probation Service. | |
| A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The licence papers have been signed on behalf of the Secretary of State and the Prison Service staff who were supervising him have been withdrawn." | |
| The 79-year-old - in a Norfolk hospital - is said to be "over the moon". | The 79-year-old - in a Norfolk hospital - is said to be "over the moon". |
| His son Michael told the BBC he was "absolutely delighted" Mr Straw had reversed his decision on his father's parole, which was refused last month. | His son Michael told the BBC he was "absolutely delighted" Mr Straw had reversed his decision on his father's parole, which was refused last month. |
| 'Did show remorse' | |
| Speaking on the Today programme, he said: "My father has served a very long time in prison. | Speaking on the 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. | "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. | "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." | "However, he has never regretted living the life he did, because had he done that he would never have had me as a son." |
| I'm just very hopeful that my father can have another few months ahead of him in his life Biggs's son Michael How the robbery unfolded Profile: Ronnie Biggs Send your comments | I'm just very hopeful that my father can have another few months ahead of him in his life Biggs's son Michael How the robbery unfolded Profile: Ronnie Biggs Send your comments |
| He said earlier that his father was unable to walk, read, write or speak and could not eat or drink. | He said earlier that his father was unable to walk, read, write or speak and could not eat or drink. |
| Last month, Mr Straw said the 79-year-old should not be granted parole as he remained "wholly unrepentant" about his involvement in the 1963 robbery of a mail train. | Last month, Mr Straw said the 79-year-old should not be granted parole as he remained "wholly unrepentant" about his involvement in the 1963 robbery of a mail train. |
| But on Thursday Mr Straw said the medical evidence clearly showed "that Mr Biggs is very ill and that his condition has deteriorated recently, culminating in his readmission to hospital". | But on Thursday Mr Straw said the medical evidence clearly showed "that Mr Biggs is very ill and that his condition has deteriorated recently, culminating in his readmission to hospital". |
| He added: "His condition is not expected to improve. It is for that reason that I am granting Mr Biggs compassionate release on medical grounds." | He added: "His condition is not expected to improve. It is for that reason that I am granting Mr Biggs compassionate release on medical grounds." |
| The inmate of Norwich Prison, who was serving a 30-year sentence, was taken to hospital in June suffering from a chest infection and was readmitted on Tuesday. | The inmate of Norwich Prison, who was serving a 30-year sentence, was taken to hospital in June suffering from a chest infection and was readmitted on Tuesday. |
| His son added: "All I can say is we are extremely happy at the moment. | His son added: "All I can say is we are extremely happy at the moment. |
| "I'm just very hopeful that my father can have another few months ahead of him in his life." | "I'm just very hopeful that my father can have another few months ahead of him in his life." |
| The decision means Biggs will spend his 80th birthday on Saturday as a free man, although his condition means he will be unable to celebrate his release. | The decision means Biggs will spend his 80th birthday on Saturday as a free man, although his condition means he will be unable to celebrate his release. |
| Timeline: Ronnie Biggs In pictures: Life on the run Who were the robbers? | Timeline: Ronnie Biggs In pictures: Life on the run Who were the robbers? |
| If his condition improves Biggs will be transferred to a nursing home in Barnet, north London, near his son's home. | If his condition improves Biggs will be transferred to a nursing home in Barnet, north London, near his son's home. |
| Biggs, originally from Lambeth, south London, 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 £2.6m in used banknotes. | Biggs, originally from Lambeth, south London, 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 £2.6m in used banknotes. |
| The train's driver, Jack Mills, suffered head injuries during the robbery. | The train's driver, Jack Mills, suffered head injuries during the robbery. |
| Biggs was given a 30-year sentence, but after 15 months he escaped from Wandsworth prison, in south-west London, by climbing a 30ft wall and fleeing in a furniture van. | Biggs was given a 30-year sentence, but after 15 months he escaped from Wandsworth prison, in south-west London, by climbing a 30ft wall and fleeing in a furniture van. |
| He was on the run for more than 30 years, living in Australia and Brazil, before returning to the UK voluntarily in 2001 in search of medical treatment. | He was on the run for more than 30 years, living in Australia and Brazil, before returning to the UK voluntarily in 2001 in search of medical treatment. |
| He was sent to Belmarsh high-security prison on his return before being moved to a specialist medical unit at Norwich prison. | He was sent to Belmarsh high-security prison on his return before being moved to a specialist medical unit at Norwich prison. |
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| Ronnie Biggs's son Michael describes his father's reaction to his release | Ronnie Biggs's son Michael describes his father's reaction to his release |