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| Train robber Biggs awaits release | Train robber Biggs awaits release |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs is preparing for his formal release from prison after being granted freedom on compassionate grounds. | Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs is preparing for his formal release 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 is expected to sign-off Biggs's licence conditions later, granting his formal release. | The Ministry of Justice is expected to sign-off Biggs's licence conditions later, granting his formal release. |
| 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". |
| Biggs's 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. | Biggs's 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. |
| Speaking outside Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Thursday night, Michael Biggs said common sense had "prevailed". | |
| "I've just been able to spend some time with my father and he, in his own words, it took him a long time using a spelling board, but he is over the moon," he said. | "I've just been able to spend some time with my father and he, in his own words, it took him a long time using a spelling board, but he is over the moon," he said. |
| "We are very hopeful that my father will be able to survive the next few days. | "We are very hopeful that my father will be able to survive the next few days. |
| 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 |
| "My father, at present, is not capable of walking, is not capable of reading, writing, speaking - he cannot eat or drink." | "My father, at present, is not capable of walking, is not capable of reading, writing, speaking - he cannot 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. |
| However, on Thursday 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. | However, on Thursday 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. It is for that reason that I am granting Mr Biggs compassionate release on medical grounds." | "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. |
| Michael Biggs added: "All I can say is we are extremely happy at the moment. | Michael Biggs 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? |
| The three Prison Service staff who remained watching him overnight will be withdrawn later, once the licence for his release is finalised. | The three Prison Service staff who remained watching him overnight will be withdrawn later, once the licence for his release is finalised. |
| 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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| The son of Ronnie Biggs says he is "absolutely delighted" about the news of his father's release | The son of Ronnie Biggs says he is "absolutely delighted" about the news of his father's release |