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Train robber Biggs wins freedom Train robber Biggs wins freedom
(10 minutes later)
Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been granted release from his prison sentence on compassionate grounds, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said. Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been granted release from his prison sentence on compassionate grounds, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.
The 79-year-old inmate at Norwich Prison was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in June suffering from a chest infection. He explained that the decision was based on medical evidence that Biggs's condition had deteriorated and he was not expected to recover.
He was refused parole by Justice Secretary Jack Straw last month. Biggs is severely ill in hospital with pneumonia and doctors have said there is "not much hope" for him.
Mr Straw rejected a recommendation by the Parole Board which said the risk Biggs posed was "manageable". Biggs, 79, was refused parole by Mr Straw last month.
He rejected a recommendation by the Parole Board which said the risk Biggs posed was "manageable".
The inmate of Norwich Prison, who turns 80 this weekend, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in June suffering from a chest infection.