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Train robber Biggs wins freedom Train robber Biggs wins freedom
(20 minutes later)
Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been granted release from his prison sentence on compassionate grounds, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been granted release from his prison sentence on compassionate grounds, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.
He explained that the decision was based on medical evidence that Biggs's condition had deteriorated and he was not expected to recover.He explained that the decision was based on medical evidence that Biggs's condition had deteriorated and he was not expected to recover.
Biggs is severely ill in hospital with pneumonia and doctors have said there is "not much hope" for him.Biggs is severely ill in hospital with pneumonia and doctors have said there is "not much hope" for him.
Biggs, 79, was refused parole by Mr Straw last month.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".He rejected a recommendation by the Parole Board which said the risk Biggs posed was "manageable".
Lawyer for Mr Biggs Giovanni Di Stefano described Biggs's release as a victory for common sense. Lawyer for Mr Biggs Giovanni Di Stefano described his release as a victory for common sense.
The inmate of Norwich Prison, who is serving a 30-year sentence, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in June suffering from a chest infection and was readmitted on Tuesday. He is absolutely delighted and he hopes that his father will survive long enough to see his 80th birthday on Saturday Judy TottonSpokeswoman for Biggs' son Michael
Ronnie Biggs is serving a 30-year prison sentence The inmate of Norwich Prison, who was serving a 30-year sentence, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in June suffering from a chest infection and was readmitted on Tuesday.
Mr Straw said: "The medical evidence clearly shows that Mr Biggs is very ill and that his condition has deteriorated recently, culminating in his readmission to hospital.Mr Straw said: "The medical evidence clearly shows that Mr Biggs is very ill and that his condition has deteriorated recently, culminating in his readmission to hospital.
"His condition is not expected to improve "His condition is not expected to improve.
"It is for that reason that I am granting Mr Biggs compassionate release on medical grounds."It is for that reason that I am granting Mr Biggs compassionate release on medical grounds.
"I have therefore been satisfied that the relevant conditions have been met, which I was not in respect of the recommendation for parole.""I have therefore been satisfied that the relevant conditions have been met, which I was not in respect of the recommendation for parole."
The decision means Biggs will spend his 80th birthday on Saturday as a free man. Judy Totton, a spokeswoman for Biggs' son Michael, said: "He is absolutely delighted and he hopes that his father will survive long enough to see his 80th birthday on Saturday."
It will be 46 years to the day since the Great Train Robbery, near Cheddington in Buckinghamshire. Ronnie Biggs was serving a 30-year prison sentence
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.
After a series of strokes, he is bedridden, fed through a tube and barely able to communicate.
The three Prison Service staff watching him will be withdrawn on Friday, once the licence for his release is finalised.
Biggs, 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.
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.
Biggs 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.