Ronnie Biggs granted prison release: Free to die in the bosom of his family

pa.press.net

Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been granted release from his prison sentence on compassionate grounds. The authorities have eventually agreed to free him to die in the company of his family and friends.

His family's last wishes are that he is able to attend his 80th birthday celebrations and finally spend time with his friends and family, as a free man. To finally cast of his mantle as a 'danger to society' before he casts off his inimitable mortal spirit. We wish him the best of luck and a more extended life!

Ronnie Biggs's share of the £2M takings is slight indeed, in comparison to the recent revelations about the loss of funds by merchant bankers and politicians alike, allegedly.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the decision was based on medical evidence that Biggs's condition had deteriorated and he was not expected to recover. If there was any indication at all of him recovering, he would remain incarcerated.

Pneumonia
Biggs, who turns 80 this weekend, is severely ill in hospital with pneumonia and doctors have said there is "not much hope".

80th Birhday on Saturday
Judy Totton, a spokeswoman for Michael Biggs, said: "He is absolutely delighted and he hopes that his father will survive long enough to see his 80th birthday on Saturday."So do we all. The loss of a father, is a pivotal moment in a son's life and its psychological impact is not to be understated.

Vengeance versus Justice
Last month the Justice Secretary rejected Biggs's application for parole on the grounds that the robber was "wholly unrepentant" about his crimes. Unfortunately, this smacked more of vengeance than justice and when it was revealed that Ronnie Biggs was already under a death sentence, Jack Straw changed his decision.

Different Considerations
Today's decision, although belated and begrudged, was finally based on more humanitarian and compassionate emotions. 'His release was based on "different considerations" than his incarceration', Mr Straw said.

John Donne Quote
More than ever we understand John Donne's timeless utterance that;

• "Each man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind' and 'Send not to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."