Key moments in the life of Ronnie Biggs

Key moments in the life of Ronnie Biggs

8 August 1963 - Biggs is part of a gang of 15 members who stole £2.6 million from a Post Office train at Bridego Railway Bridge in Buckinghamshire.

January 1964 - Ronnie Biggs stands trial for the robbery and is jailed for 30 years.

July 7, 1965 - After just 15 months behind bars, he escapes from Wandsworth Prison by scaling a wall and jumping onto a mattress in an open-top van.

1969 - Biggs flees to Brazil after being tracked down in Australia by Scotland Yard.

1974 - Biggs makes a deal with the Daily Express amid rumours he would surrender if assured an early parole date, but the paper contacts detective Jack Slipper who arrests him in Rio de Janeiro. The train robber successfully argued against extradition because he had a Brazilian dependant, a young son Michael, by his girlfriend Raimunda.

May 3, 2001 - After 35 years on the run, Ronnie Biggs sends an email to Scotland Yard saying he wanted to go home.

May 7, 2001 - Biggs arrives on a private plane at RAF Northolt, and is immediately arrested. He is later sent back to prison, but within weeks is receiving hospital treatment for a suspected stroke.

August 2004 - Lawyers for the Great Train Robber launch a High Court bid to secure his release on compassionate grounds.

June 25, 2009 - A Parole Board recommends to Justice Secretary Jack Straw that Biggs be released, saying the risk of him reoffending is "manageable".

July 1, 2009 - Biggs is refused parole by Mr Straw, who accused the Great Train Robber of being "wholly unrepentant" about his crimes. Biggs is said to have suffered three strokes and cannot eat, speak or walk.

July 28 2009 - Michael Biggs appeals to the Government to release his father on compassionate grounds after the criminal is re-admitted to hospital from prison with severe pneumonia.

August 6 2009 - Mr Straw grants Biggs "compassionate release" from his prison sentence saying he is not expected to recover.

Key moments in the life of Ronnie Biggs