Ronnie Biggs Returns to the UK: August 13, 2001

On August 13, 2001, Ronnie Biggs, one of the infamous perpetrators of the Great Train Robbery of 1963, voluntarily returned to the United Kingdom after 36 years on the run. His arrival marked a significant moment in the long-standing tale of one of Britain’s most famous heists and its aftermath.

Background of the Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery occurred on August 8, 1963, when a gang of 15 individuals stopped and robbed a Royal Mail train en route from Glasgow to London. They stole £2.6 million (equivalent to about £53 million today), a vast sum at the time. The robbery was meticulously planned, involving the manipulation of railway signals to bring the train to a halt.

Following the robbery, several gang members, including Biggs, were apprehended and put on trial. In 1964, Ronnie Biggs received a 30-year prison sentence but managed to escape from Wandsworth Prison in 1965 after serving just 15 months. He fled to various countries, eventually settling in Brazil, exploiting the absence of an extradition treaty with the UK.

Return to the UK

In 2001, aged 71 and in poor health, Ronnie Biggs returned to the UK, surrendering himself to authorities. His decision to return seemed motivated by a desire to receive medical treatment and spend his remaining years in his home country. Biggs boarded a private jet from Rio de Janeiro to London, where he was arrested upon arrival.

Consequences and Legacy

Upon his return, Biggs was taken into custody and sent to Belmarsh Prison to continue serving his original sentence. His return reignited public interest and debate over the Great Train Robbery and the criminal justice system’s handling of his case.

In 2009, on compassionate grounds due to his deteriorating health, Biggs was released from prison. He passed away in 2013. Despite his criminal activities, Biggs remained a notorious and enigmatic figure, emblematic of a significant chapter in British criminal history. His life captured the public imagination and continued to inspire discussions about crime, punishment, and the allure of outlaw figures.