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02/07/2009
Biggs To Appeal Against Parole Decision
Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs is to appeal against the government's decision to refuse him parole.
Lawyers for 79-year-old Biggs, who is suffering from pneumonia after breaking his hip in a fall, said they would be seeking a judicial review of the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw's decision.
The Parole Board report said the risk he posed was "manageable under the proposed risk management plan and consequently parole is recommended".
However, the panel also said that "in terms of his attitudes and risk areas" there was little evidence – apart from his increased age – to suggest he would not return to his old criminal lifestyle.
Mr Straw rejected a recommendation by the Parole Board, that he should be released, saying Biggs was "wholly unrepentant" about his actions and had "outrageously courted the media".
He also said it was "unacceptable" that the 79-year-old had chosen not to obey the law and tried to avoid the consequences of his decision.
Mr Straw said: "Had he complied with his sentence, he would have been a free man many years ago."
Biggs's son Michael has campaigned for his father's release. He was called to the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital last night after Bigg's health deteriorated.
The convicted train robber was taken to the hospital after a fall over the weekend.
Ronnie Biggs was one of a 15-strong gang which attacked a mail train in Ledburn, Buckinghamshire, on 8 August 1963.
He had a walk-on role in the robbery when the gang held up the overnight Glasgow to London train and stole £2.6 million (worth £40m at today's prices) - the biggest ever raid on a British train.
After being sentenced to 30 years in prison, Biggs managed to escape from Wandsworth Prison in South London, in a furniture van after serving 15 months of his sentence.
Biggs returned to Britain in 2001 after 36 years on the run and was ordered to complete the sentence.
(JM/BMcc)
Lawyers for 79-year-old Biggs, who is suffering from pneumonia after breaking his hip in a fall, said they would be seeking a judicial review of the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw's decision.
The Parole Board report said the risk he posed was "manageable under the proposed risk management plan and consequently parole is recommended".
However, the panel also said that "in terms of his attitudes and risk areas" there was little evidence – apart from his increased age – to suggest he would not return to his old criminal lifestyle.
Mr Straw rejected a recommendation by the Parole Board, that he should be released, saying Biggs was "wholly unrepentant" about his actions and had "outrageously courted the media".
He also said it was "unacceptable" that the 79-year-old had chosen not to obey the law and tried to avoid the consequences of his decision.
Mr Straw said: "Had he complied with his sentence, he would have been a free man many years ago."
Biggs's son Michael has campaigned for his father's release. He was called to the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital last night after Bigg's health deteriorated.
The convicted train robber was taken to the hospital after a fall over the weekend.
Ronnie Biggs was one of a 15-strong gang which attacked a mail train in Ledburn, Buckinghamshire, on 8 August 1963.
He had a walk-on role in the robbery when the gang held up the overnight Glasgow to London train and stole £2.6 million (worth £40m at today's prices) - the biggest ever raid on a British train.
After being sentenced to 30 years in prison, Biggs managed to escape from Wandsworth Prison in South London, in a furniture van after serving 15 months of his sentence.
Biggs returned to Britain in 2001 after 36 years on the run and was ordered to complete the sentence.
(JM/BMcc)
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Great Escape On The Cards For Infamous Train Robber
Infamous train robber, Ronnie Biggs, could be freed from jail in a year, his lawyer has said. Biggs, 78, was sentenced to 30 years for the 1963 robbery, but escaped Wandsworth prison by scaling a rope ladder, after 15 months.
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Ronnie Biggs has been formally released from prison today on compassionate grounds. Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday approved the Great Train Robber's release. Biggs - who turns 80 tomorrow - is severely ill with pneumonia was told he is unlikely to recover.
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Ronnie Biggs has been formally released from prison today on compassionate grounds. Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday approved the Great Train Robber's release. Biggs - who turns 80 tomorrow - is severely ill with pneumonia was told he is unlikely to recover.
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17 April 2009
Convicted Child Abuser Jailed For 'Allowing' Baby Death
A convicted child abuser has today been jailed for two years and three months for doing nothing to stop his ex-partner's "horrific" cruelty against her son. Paul Husband, 33, from Newham, east London, was found guilty of neglect in relation to the death of two-month-old Rhys Biggs.
Convicted Child Abuser Jailed For 'Allowing' Baby Death
A convicted child abuser has today been jailed for two years and three months for doing nothing to stop his ex-partner's "horrific" cruelty against her son. Paul Husband, 33, from Newham, east London, was found guilty of neglect in relation to the death of two-month-old Rhys Biggs.
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