Biggs early release plea lodged

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Lawyers for Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs have formally lodged an emergency application for his early release on compassionate grounds.

Biggs, 79, is being treated at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for severe pneumonia.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed an application was made for a prisoner at HMP Norwich, where Biggs has been held since last leaving hospital on 17 July.

Earlier this month, Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused his bid for parole.

A parole board recommended his release but Mr Straw disagreed, saying Biggs remained "wholly unrepentant" for his crimes.

The latest appeal came after the criminal's son, Michael Biggs, pleaded with the government to reconsider the case, claiming doctors told him there was "not much hope".

All applications are processed as soon as we reasonably can and each is carefully considered on its merits Ministry of Justice

"It's the worst he's ever been. I have never seen him this weak," he said, adding that doctors had indicated they may not resuscitate his father should his heart stop.

Biggs' lawyer Giovanni Di Stefano said in a letter to Mr Straw that the law allows for early release where a prisoner is suffering from a terminal illness and is likely to die within three months.

"It is submitted that for Mr Biggs to die in custody in this manner would be wholly offensive to the general population of the European Union," he wrote.

Similar applications were made in 2006, 2007 and last month, Mr Di Stefano said.

Biggs, from Lambeth, south London, has been moved between his prison cell and a bed at the hospital several times.

His family say he has suffered three strokes, hip, pelvis and spine fractures, and that he is guarded by three police officers despite being unable to eat, speak or walk.

Biggs was a member of a 15-strong gang which attacked the Glasgow to London mail train as it passed through Buckinghamshire in August 1963, making off with £2.6m in used banknotes.

Escape

He 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 Spain, Australia and Brazil, before returning to the UK voluntarily in 2001.

A Home Office spokesman said he could not discuss cases of individual prisoners.

But he added: "We can confirm that an application for the early release on compassionate grounds of a prisoner at HMP Norwich has been received by the public protection casework section in the National Offender Management Service.

"All applications are processed as soon as we reasonably can and each is carefully considered on its merits against the published criteria."

These include whether a prisoner is likely to die soon, their risk of reoffending is past, there are adequate arrangements for his care outside prison and early release would bring some benefit to him or his family.