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He is a criminal who never fully paid for his crime. I read that he lived well in Brazil on his ill gotten gains. He only returned to this country when he became
ill and without funds to pay for health care in brazil.
He has always been and will always be a pariah until the day he dies. May God have mercy on his soul when he finally makes his last journey, I fear it won't be to Paradise.

- Gaynor., Scotland., 19/08/2009 23:21
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Why should my hard earned savings pay for his health.He had plenty of good times at our expense for years living abroad. He only came back because Britain is such a "soft touch" Let his family pay for him they want him released.As a senior citizen I ask who will take care of my husband & I should we ever need to go into care.No doubt the government will be only too happy to take our home to pay for it.What assets has Mr Biggs got? No we should not pay for his care!

- J Downey, Norfolk England, 25/06/2009 21:21
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Given his age and candition and his UK identity, there shouldn't be a question. There shouldn't be a question over the care of any of our sick or elderly. Alas! As our "Government" opened our frontiers to EU members, we quake beneath the burden of their constant traffic. Just yesterday they blamed the burden on people living longer. Get it right! The problem is that the Texed and Nationally Insured are paying the bill for the open door policy.

Give Ron a comfortable end. Give every old person a comfortable end.

- Maria, London, 11/06/2009 14:42
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Cant see why not....we pay many MPs for their living & enjoyments etc., so why not him he is very, very similar to many...surely.

- Ed, london, 11/06/2009 14:31
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We are paying to keep him in jail, so what's the problem, let him fade away with dignity.
John

- John Nasmith, Camberley, UK, 11/06/2009 14:12
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I was about to write but...

Amazonmother has said it all, so there's no point in my repeating what he/she said, other than : Let him go.

Regards

An ex Met Police payslip receiver.

- John Neighbour, London., 11/06/2009 13:43
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Send him back to where he came from....oh, right....

- Dick Turpin, Eastleigh, UK, 11/06/2009 12:36
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cannot agree more with lin.is it because he is true english??

- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france, 11/06/2009 12:05
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Years ago his son said he had weeks to live and he should be released from prison. He survived, there have been other claims that his days were numbered but he marches on.
Let him out into the care of his loving family - he robbed a train and a man got hurt years ago. Sex offenders, child rapist and murderers get far far less time in prison, new identities and protection. Biggs has run his course, maybe a year or so as a z-lister. He made some high-ups look stupid and he has paid.

- Amazonmothe, hasting, 11/06/2009 11:53
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I THINK ITS DISGUSTING SEND HIM BACK TO RIO WHERE HE CAME FROM FOR THEM TO LOOK AFTER HIM. WITH HIS SON
HE HAS ALREADY COST THE TAXPAYERS TOO MUCH WHILST IN JAIL

- Susie Lon, LONDON, 11/06/2009 10:55
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Keep him in a prison hospital.

- Frank, BONCATH, WALES, 11/06/2009 10:22
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We have been harbouring protecting and paying out for illegal immmigrants and terrorists for years, so why not him? Is it because he is English???? I think it would be racist not to.

- Lin, LONDON ENGLAND, 11/06/2009 09:04
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I have a friend that has calculated that their total cost to government in the US is some 22 m USD.

Due to legal and legislative discrimination based on their national origin they cannot work in the US -- ever.

It is not possible for them to go to the US Supreme Court over the matter due to legal mechanisms involved in the discrimination.

Literally, the US taxpayer has spent 22 m USD to keep them permanently unemployed.

So as bizarre as this train robbery issue may be, in the land of the American Imperialists -- there is a much more corrupt set of subsidizations going on.

- Bill Stewart, Seattle, WA, 11/06/2009 03:41
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Of course the British taxpayer should help out. After all, he IS English, isn't he???

- Cuddly Duddly, Cuffley, UK, 11/06/2009 00:40
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We have been paying for a bunch of crooked politicians for years, whats another few quid going to matter!

- Trev Johnson, Tuxford UK, 10/06/2009 23:32
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This is a frail old man, and that file picture is 25 years out of date.
I would be greatful if some of the people who post here, would learn a little compassion.
Ronnie Biggs should have been released many years ago. Justice is not served by jailing a dying man.

- Clive Allen, Brighton, UK, 10/06/2009 22:47
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There is a different way of looking at it. He is a Brit and has not been living on the government for twenty years. If he were an illegal in the country for six days, the courts would order that he be cared for.

- Rayr, gurnee, USA, 10/06/2009 22:14
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Whilst I sympathise with those who have had to see their parents or other relatives pay their own fees for a nursing or care home, I would take issue with the term 'estate'. An estate is what you leave when you die. While you are still alive it is your property, savings etc. I don't personally think that anyone who is so ill that they need to be in residential care should have to pay for it themselves, but they are not paying for it out of their 'estate', they are paying for it out of their savings or income.

Having said that, what happened to Ronnie Bigg's share of the proceeds from the great train robbery? Should that not be confiscated to pay his nursing home bills?

- Noelphobic, merseyside, 10/06/2009 21:23
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I can't believe you people are defending him being put in a nursing home at taxpayers' expense. He spent years in Brazil where he avoided deportation back to UK by fathering a child there, then hotfooted it back when he became ill and wanted the NHS, to which he had contributed nothing, to pay for his treatment. Would that decent law-abiding OAPs who find the money they put aside for their old age means-tested into non-existence received the same generous treatment.

- Humpty, London, 10/06/2009 18:08
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Absolutely not.

- Edwin Underhill, beaconsfield buckinghamshire, 10/06/2009 17:55
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I've a question for all you who think we shouldn't be funding his last few weeks or months of liberty. If he was in gaol, who do you think would be footing the bill ?

- Nigel Bonny, San Diego, California, 10/06/2009 17:54
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Let him rot in jail. He ran away, now let him pay.

- Eddie Bowler, Bromley, UK, 10/06/2009 17:53
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He is a sick old man being being let out to die! In his state of health there are few things he will ever enjoy again. Some of the comments are not what I would expect from a civilised society.

- Man U Fan, London, 10/06/2009 17:52
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Biggs and the other robbers were prepared to use violence, and did so, against the train driver. It is no thanks to them he did not die as a direct result. All lowlife who commit violent crimes out of greed deserve very heavy sentences. Biggs should be even more ashamed of himself that he is now exploiting the system he never contributed to in all his useless life.

Liz

- Liz, Newport Pagnell, 10/06/2009 17:18
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I dont see Ronnie as being any worse than our grabbing MPs.

- Uman Rites, Haverigg, Cumbria, 10/06/2009 17:14
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Of course the tax payer should pay, what would you do, toss him into the gutter at his age?

- Mike Coventry, Hertford GB, 10/06/2009 16:55
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No private jet then?

- E Reed, bournemouth dorset,uk, 10/06/2009 16:47
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I agree at his age and in his condition,he should be freed,but I object to his LAWYERS comments:I have to say that the government really has behaved correctly and in an exemplary fashion.
I suppose the old saying still GOES.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.

Just the same,good luck to you Ronnie.

- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy, 10/06/2009 16:42
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Hang in there, Ronnie! All that cheering and applause you hear in the distance is coming from all your Brazilian friends.

Cheers, Lad,

Fred

- Fred Sill, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 10/06/2009 16:05
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Interesting that you think Mills was handcuffed by the police Mickey ?

According to the evidence Jack Mills gane Aylesbury Magistrates Court in October 1963 he and Whitby were handcuffed by two masked robbers during the course of the robbery, later moved down the embankment to the back of a PO van the robbers were using and warned to stay there for half an hour before raising the alarm.

The robbers were not all bad though and according to Mills' evidence one offered to find him after all the fuss had settled down and give him a few quid for his trouble.

- The Ulsterman, Town, 10/06/2009 15:57
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Most of those making comments on here don't have clue what they're talking about! NOBODY died as a direct result of the Great Train Robbers. Theer was never any direct link of the injuries the driver sustained to his later death from leukemia I believe?

Mr. Biggs had virtually no role in the robbery himself. His only job was to find a person to drive the train. The sentences handed out at the time were commonly regarded as being ridiculously excessive given the nature of the crime. Mass murderers received lesser sentences than most of the robbers (who stole money that was due to be destroyed!)

The gang never really managed to enjoy much of the ill gotten gains.

The fact that Mr. Biggs is a British citizen who cannot afford to pay for his care and will therefore have his placement paid for him by state is exactly what should happen and happens for anyone in the same position. He is too ill and disabled to be cared for in prison and many sane and rational people would say that he's served his time in more ways than one. Since when did this nation become so bigoted and malicious?

Steven Dale check your facts before you launch into a stupid tirade. The Standard has made it clear how they would like the public to respond to this but read the facts for yourself first instead of being led like a bull with a ring through your noses!

- Bruce, London, 10/06/2009 15:52
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He loved his dear old mum and he only done it to his own. He's a folk hero so let's give him a right royal send off.

- Keith, King's Cross, London, 10/06/2009 15:50
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The old sod has had it off again

- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh Essex, 10/06/2009 15:44
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Let him out on July 1st and let his son care for him.
I watched this wretch some years ago signing autographs in a sordid bar dockside in Rio. Gullible cruise passengers were queueing up to buy him drinks.
Let him pay for his own care by doing the same in England. I am sure that he can do the odd chat show as well.!!

- Mordwinoff, Lisle France., 10/06/2009 15:25
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He is no more a parasite than many enjoying the UK's relatively luxurious prisons (compared to most others in the world) or their secret all expenses paid lives after release from prison due to the nature of their crimes. Don't pick on one person, protest (non violently and politely) at the whole system if you disagree with it.

- Helen, norwich, 10/06/2009 15:24
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Care home or prison Ronnie Biggs would still have had to be looked after courtesy of the taxpayers money so I really can't see what the fuss is about. Like all who live here he's entitled to it.

I wouldn't glorify the Great Train Robbery but if you compare it to the crimes being committed these days, it's a drop in the ocean. Seems you can systematically torture a child to death like Baby P's murderers and still get light sentences.

- Marian, London, 10/06/2009 15:03
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Whats wrong with the prison hospital.

- Shallotman, Basildon, 10/06/2009 14:59
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"The 79-year-old Great Train Robber is said to be "ecstatic" that he is returning to the city of his birth". I'd bet that the relatives of those who died as a result of his crimes aren't "ecstatic". They would not have had a say in his return to the "city of his birth". Is this justice? Or is letting an old man who is no longer a danger to society die a peaceful death?

- Trevor, London, 10/06/2009 14:58
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He'll be up and about after a few weeks....what a scam.

- Rosie, Watford, 10/06/2009 14:57
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Quote: P Staker, London. I'm not sure how many of those who have written articles here today were alive when the Great Train Robbery took place; I was.

So was I: P Staker. But I tend to side with the facts; not the fictions etc.

The train robbery was in August 1963.

Jack Mills died of Leukaemia in 1970

Jack Mills suffered a black eye and facial bruising after the robbery etc.

He was handcuffed to the train's 2nd man, David Whitby, in the engine compartment of the driver's cab by the police themselves on that night.

After the robbery, Jack was taken to the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury, where he and his 2nd man had to wait for a free police officer to remove the handcuffs etc.

Hardly in a bad state of health according to the police that cuffed him at the time etc.

Jack Mills died of Leukaemia in 1970; 7 years after the event; which would have made him about 65 years of age at the time of his death etc from cancer.

The inquest at the time of Jack Mills death; confirmed his death was unrelated to his injuries from the train robbery etc.

So no murder charge could be bought against anyone; for any death due to, or from, natural cause’s years later etc.

I believe that if death occurs within a year and a day of any violence etc; then a charge could be instigated; providing the full facts support it etc.

Still at least Ronnie has taken your minds of our MP crooks for a while.

And the Banks are still robbing you instead.

- Mickyinlondon, london, 10/06/2009 14:53
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He did a couple of great songs with The Sex Pistols, the man deserves a knighthood.

- Piqued, London, 10/06/2009 14:20
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Steven: You recall wrong and yes I am old enough to remember it! Only one person got hurt, the train driver (hit over the head by one of the gang) because he tried to stop the robbery. If someone died it was a very long time after the event and not at all related to the robbery. If he had been found guilty of murder he'd have got life which is only 10 years in prison in this country and he would have been let out in about 4 years as happens to all murderers nowadays. I am not condoning what he's done, but by todays standards what the robbers got compared to what they actually done was way over the top, considering today the nastiest pieces of low life scum can do the most evil things to another human being and basically walk away with hardly any worthwhile sentence.

- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 10/06/2009 14:19
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- Mek, London

He should never have been allowed back into this country in the first place. A decision Labour and Labour alone made.

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 10/06/2009 14:19
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There is even a nursery rhyme about him.


Ron, the Piper`s Son

Ron, Ron, the piper`s son,
Stole a pig and away he run;
The pig was eat and Ron was beat
And Ron ran crying down the street.

- Ch, ipswich, 10/06/2009 14:10
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I am amazed that this is an issue, I can imagine, that if this offence was committed today, the sentence would be no more that 8 to 10 years.

He is an old and frail man, and the same rights as any other human being upon release and deserves to live in London if he so choses, I am a Londoner that has travelled the world, and I believe that Britain is the greatest, most tolerant country in the world, and London is a great city, as is Manchester, Birmingham and others. I would certainly want to end my days here.

I could never hope somebody dies soon, and as for cost, prisons are not free, they cost too.

Life is far too short for bitterness, I think all of us that care for our country and our people need to set an example, stop being bigots, end racism, deplore hatred, and start being positive, speak to your neighbours, build community.

This country was built on fairness, we have always accepted immigrants, and we should, anybody that does not want to harm this country, that want to work and share it should be allowed too.

And one of the things that would help is understanding crime and punishment, people with criminal records have to declare them to employers, then the employers don't employ them, so they go back to crime. if they don't declare it, and get found out, they are guilty of another criminal offence and then are punished. We need to break the cycle.

As for Biggs son, Michael, I hope he gets to spend some quality time with his Dad.

- John Kirby, Crouch End, Islington. North London, 10/06/2009 14:04
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I trust his Brazilian son will be deported when Biggs dies.

- Richard, London, 10/06/2009 13:43
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I want him in jail because he has not completed his sentence, in full or even the minimum set under today's lax rules.
I don't see why he should receive special treatment just because he "didn't murder anyone".
I also don't want this to become a precedent for the next convicted criminal who absconds.

Try thinking deeper rather than simplistically.

- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 10/06/2009 13:28
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why hasnt the son been sent back to brazil?

- Mary, uxbridge. england, 10/06/2009 13:19
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I'm not sure how many of those who have written articles here today were alive when the Great Train Robbery took place; I was.

First, they did not rob from a Bank(s) but from the Royal Mail.

Second, if the law then had been the same as it is now, he would have been guilty of murder or at the very least manslaughter. If I recall, two people died as a result of the robbery but because of the old common law defenition of murder, they got away with that.

On the issue: he should be confined in a place where he is the least drain on our resources but frankly, I would have no sympathy if he was put back in prison and died there - he has never paid fully for the crime he committed. The way some people talk, you'd think he was Doctor Manette in the Bastille.

- Steven Dale, London, England, 10/06/2009 13:09
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He has been a parasite on the UK taxpayer for years, he only came back with his tail inbetween his legs, for the NHS.

Lets hope he dies soon, and stops costing us all money.

People forget he enjoyed running abroad, playing jack the lad, taunting the UK via the press, well he's not so cocky now is he.

- P Staker, London, SW8, 10/06/2009 13:08
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Leave Ronnie alone,he is an old man who just wants to spend his last days near his family and friends,the taxpayer pays for much less worthy causes than paying for an Englishmans last days in a nursing home.The 30 year tariff handed out at the time of the crime was to show the working classes that if they struck against the establishment they would pay the price,other more serious criminals who have committed murder,rape,terrorism have been given a fraction of the sentence that the train robbers got.As far as I am concerned Ronnie has more than paid for his crime,a crime in which he was a bit part player.

- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 10/06/2009 13:05
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So! We were paying him to stay inside prison in the hospital wing, so whats the difference. Prisoners get more spent on them per head per week than our pensioners have to live on. He's not a mass murderer. He stole govenment money, hence the long stretch. Hold on, why aren't our MPs doing a long stretch then!

- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 10/06/2009 12:52
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The truth is often more strange than fiction; most of what you read is fiction, tinged with a little fact; it makes for more interesting stories to write in papers etc.

Ronnie is almost dead now; yet he is a famous as ever; a bit like Dick Turpin, and Doctor Crippen, who were giant criminals in their time; but only small fry in the real crime game.

But as I said; they all sold newspapers and gained infamy across the nation; Crippen of course turned out to be innocent; but not much is now mentioned of that fact; fiction remains king of all distorted stories, and makes more exciting reading than the truth.

Had Ronnie robbed pension funds or tax payers; nobody would ever have heard of him; and bet your life he would never have been arrested; let alone charged and jailed.

Had he murdered people he would have received only a third of his sentence; instead he stole money belonging to a bank, on its way to be burnt; for that he got 30 years etc.

Add his 30 years to the other 14 robber’s sentences, and you can see the Law of the Land was not bothered about prison costs or the rehabilitation of these working class robbers etc.

Yes Ronnie was a fool; he should have robbed the tax payer and the pension funds instead.

Good luck Ronnie; many people are forgotten and many are forgiven; but you never will be.

- Mickyinlondon, london, 10/06/2009 12:30
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Why not? Isn't that the same as our MP's situation ? We the taxpayers have been supporting criminal MP's for years, why not Biggs, who at least has served time for his crime?

- Maya, London, 10/06/2009 12:23
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The taxpayer is already paying for his care - and I would imagine that the cost of keeping him a nursing home is cheaper than keeping in the hospital wing of a prison - a bit of a bargain for the taxpayer I would have thought!

- Andy, london, 10/06/2009 11:32
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Richard - LONDON - I would keep him in jail - They have excellent medical facilities. Most importantly he would be paying for his crime, absconding to Brazil, and be able to reflect on what he has done.

- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 10/06/2009 11:19
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Dave Davies, Frank Home Counties - what would the Tories do. Execute him? That's the only way the tax payer won't be paying for him!!

- Richard, LONDON, 10/06/2009 10:44
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How come I had to spend £85k of my grans estate putting her into a home until her death. What a joke!!!!!
Lets hope he's dies very soon.....................

- Jonny, London, 10/06/2009 10:39
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A picture of Ronnie Biggs laying on a Lilo sunning himself, with the headline " at taxpayers expense" nice piece of informal unbiased journalism.
Society must be protected and have their pound of flesh from this paralysed, dribbling, incontinent bank robber,

- Steve M, London, 10/06/2009 10:37
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Mek, London - Which law(s)do you refer to?

Mandy, London - This would have been subject to review by the ministry of Justice - A government department.

Wake up!

- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 10/06/2009 10:29
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New policy proposal: When a criminal 'escapes'to another country, lock the door behind them.

How much taxpayers money was spent getting him back? He came when he was ready, and we congratulated ourselves. This is exactly what we bought.

- Helen, Reading, 10/06/2009 10:25
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IT IS VERY SAD THAT THIS LABOUR GOVERNMENT CANNOT TREAT LAW-ABIDING ELDERLY PEEPS PROPERLY.

THERE ARE CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE IN THE UK WHO WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT - WITH CRIMINALS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

- Reuben Camara, Morecambe, Lancaster, 10/06/2009 10:16
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Paid for by the Taxpayer? Why did I spend 50K of my parents estate keeping my law abiding, tax paying, father in a home until his death? Why is my mother in law (again law abiding and tax paying) all her life currently paying £2500 a month to a home (and steadily losing her property) only for this criminal to be fully funded?
Is the lesson here for my relatives to go on some spend spend spend then a huge crime spree?
OK let Biggs go he's a old boy but for us to PAY for his care? Did he meet the Coughlan test then? I VERY much doubt it. I also doubt that he's properly accounted for all his assets. I expect he's got thousands stashed away abroad.
Truly yet another slap in the face from this complete bunch of bar stewards who run the country.

- Ethan, UK, 10/06/2009 10:12
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Dave Davies - oh please??!! Are you sure you don't want to blame it on the "Greedy Bankers" too?

I would be interested to know if the cost of caring for him in this care home is actually cheaper than keeping him in prison. I've a hunch that it is.

- Mandy, London, 10/06/2009 10:02
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Dave Davies... ANY govt would as that's the law. Must you muppets equate every ill to Labour. you lot are getting tiresome.

- Mek, London, 10/06/2009 09:58
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He hasn't got long to go so that's not going to bother me as a taxpayer.
What does rankle however,are the asylum scrounging families that are getting more of their 'fair' share of our money.

- Steve, London, 10/06/2009 09:34
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No wonder this country is laughed at around the world. This man dodged his sentence, took his ill-gotten gains abroad, and then returned "home" when he was sick and broke. I believe The Sun was instrumental in returning him. Let The Sun pay for it then. We owe him nothing, but as usual he will be getting the best. I am sure a lot of elderly people in Homes would love what he is going to get. Who believe the Probation Service now after their recent track record anyway.


Amber in Mitcham

- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey, 10/06/2009 09:28
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Only a Labour government could allow this. Very very sad indeed.

- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 10/06/2009 09:19
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I'm sure my father-in-law a taxpayer all his life and the same age as Biggs, now paying £800 per week to live in a care home will be very pleased with this result.
Can't we should send this worthless chancer back to Brazil on the the first plane out and let them deal with him ?

- Steve Best, Redhill England, 10/06/2009 09:19
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"It's a brand new home that he will be going to and his son will be only a half a mile away and will be able to visit every day.

That's so nice how does the son fit it in with his work or is he kept too?

- Martin, London, 10/06/2009 09:17
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Labour's justice strikes again.

The MP's mantra: "The tax payer will pay for it".

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 10/06/2009 09:14
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I have never understood why had this crime happened today he would have to serve less than 3 years with good behviour inside. Everyday we relase bigger scum than this.

The system is stupid and should be the same for everyone

- Gary, Brentwood 2, 10/06/2009 09:13
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Nothing new here really, he has spent most of his life residing in prison at Her Majesty's Pleasure, who paid for that? The taxpayer. Basically he's a leech on society.

- Mcw, London, 10/06/2009 09:02
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why ? why would the council agree to this ?

- Joanna, london, 10/06/2009 09:00
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