Biggs family promises to fight on

Jul 2 2009

The family of Ronnie Biggs has vowed to fight on for his freedom after Justice Secretary Jack Straw condemned the Great Train Robber to a likely death behind bars.

Mr Straw rejected a parole board recommendation that the 79-year-old be released, saying Biggs was "wholly unrepentant" about his crimes.

Biggs's legal adviser, Giovanni Di Stefano, said he was planning to launch a judicial review to try to have it overturned.

Biggs was eligible for release on Friday, having served 10 years of his 30-year sentence.

The Parole Board, which met earlier this month, recommended his release saying he posed a "manageable" threat to the public. But it noted he was unrepentant about fleeing prison and going on the run for 35 years.

But Mr Straw said: "I am refusing the Parole Board's recommendation for parole. Biggs chose not to obey the law and respect the punishments given to him - the legal system in this country deserves more respect than this."

Biggs is seriously unwell, having suffered a series of strokes. He cannot eat or speak, can barely walk and last weekend broke his hip when he fell out of his bed in Norwich Prison.

He is now in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital where sources said his condition had deteriorated in the past 24 hours and he was now regarded as "poorly".

His son Micheal pleaded with Mr Straw to change his mind, adding: "I hope that Mr Straw finds it in his heart to review his recommendation not to release my father. He represents no threat to society whatsoever.

"My father has paid his debt to society - what more could they want?"