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Frail Ronnie Biggs ‘could die’, claims his son
Ed Harris06.07.09
A new photograph of Ronnie Biggs shows the ailing Great Train Robber lying in his hospital bed.
Biggs, 79, who was refused parole last week, is being treated at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital after being moved from a nearby prison.
In the picture, sent to MPs by his legal adviser Giovanni Di Stefano, he appears frail with his arms heavily bandaged and tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. His son, Michael, said Biggs had pneumonia, plus fractures of the hip, pelvis and spine and could die if he does not respond to treatment.
He has suffered three strokes and cannot eat, speak or walk, according to Mr Di Stefano.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw rejected a parole board recommendation that Biggs be released, saying he was “wholly unrepentant” about his crimes.
The decision means Biggs will not be free to celebrate his 80th birthday on 8 August, 46 years to the day since Biggs and a 15-man gang stole £2.6 million from the Glasgow to London mail train.
Reader views (15)
Am I bovvered
- Ces, london
Life goes on, then one day it doesn't. The rest is just there to keep things interesting.
- Rogan, Irving
Didn't they beat the train driver to death? This isn't some innocent man. I have no sympathy. There are plenty of people who have been law abiding and probably aren't getting a bed in a hospital. This man paid no taxes and nothing towards the health care. I have no sympathy. He's lucky he has a hospital bed!
- Jk, London
At least as a convicted criminal he's able to get a bed in hospital. Many tax payers can't, because they are being bumped to accomodate the likes of Mr. Biggs.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK
We all die at sometime-this is not something alien to Biggs.
- Harvey Lawrence, London
Amber in Mitcham: I understand that the mother of Michael Biggs came to the UK to marry Ronnie after he came back to the UK, with his failing health and cash flow problems, to milk the system. This gave their son the right to be in the UK legally. Sorted. No flies on Ronnie or his legal team, eh?
- Monty, Tottenham, London
Ronnie Biggs did enjoy teasing the police whilst he was in Brazil and only returned for the health care system. I hate to be harsh but people need to learn respect for this country and if that means he dies in prison so be it.
- Jerry, Chiswick
Perhaps Bigg's son is more concerned about his own future. Has he been allowed to remain in the UK only on compassionate grounds because of his fathers illnes?. If old Biggs pops off will his loud son then have to sod off back to Brasil?. As I see it's a win, win situation for the British taxpayer.
- Paddy, Croydon Uk
So he's 79 and he dies - surprise surprise!
He only came back for the freebies dod n't he? He' is a crook.
- Anglo, West Sussex
Am I bothered?
- Dannyp, Egham
Good.
Michael - your dad is a hardened, justice avoiding criminal who happens to be getting his Karma early. You'll just have to put up and shut up. Go away.
- Ryan, South East
Oh dear, How sad, nevermind.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants
If he is as sick as the reports suggest, and he was paroled, where do you think he would be? Correct - he would be in hospital.
So for all the whinging and whining of his son and lawyer, he is where he needs to be.
There are a lot of people dying in hospital who have led blameless lives - let's save out sympathy for them.
- Barry Chapman, Welwyn England
He is of an age where he would probably be "off somewhere" anyway. Some people do not have the luxury of a clean hospital bed such as he has. He has had a wonderful life on stolen money so lets give our sympathy to other more needy people. Also, how come his son who was not even born in Britain is staying here with money to spare for lawyers etc. I expect it is all down to Jo Public again.
Amber in Mitcham
- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey
We all die, some having led better lives than others.
"He has suffered three strokes and cannot eat, speak or walk, according to Mr Di Stefano."
Then I suggest hospital is the best place for him Stefano?
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
