The last fugitive from Britain's Great Train Robbery in 1963 is in jail in London after returning to Britain from his exile in Brazil. Ronnie Biggs has been on the run for 35 years after escaping from Wandsworth Prison in 1965. He was taken to court after a private plane, paid for by a tabloid newspaper, landed in north west London after a flight from Rio de Janeiro. His legal team has said that Mr Biggs intends to appeal the remaining 28 years of his sentence. Mr Biggs, who is in poor health, returned voluntarily to Britain from Brazil.
Ronnie Biggs was brought to a magistrates court in Hammersmith, West London in a police van shortly before noon today. The 71-year-old was charged with escaping from London's Wandsworth prison, 35 years ago. His years on the run ended at 9am this morning when the executive jet which had carried him back from Brazil, touched down at Northolt Airport in West London. Detectives went on board and formally arrested Mr Biggs. He had been jailed for his part in the notorious 1963 British mail train robbery but escaped and went on the run in 1965, ending up in Brazil. He fathered a child there, which made it impossible for the British authorites to extradite him.
Mr Biggs has suffered three strokes and can no longer speak properly. He is believed to be broke and unable to pay for vital medical treatment. Last night in Rio, he voluntarily boarded an executive jet which had been hired by the Sun newspaper.
