Charmian biggs biography

English criminal (1929–2013)

Ronnie Biggs
Buckinghamshire Constabulary mug-shot, 1964
Born	Ronald Character Biggs (1929-08-08)8 August 1929 Stockwell, London, England
Died	18 December 2013(2013-12-18) (aged 84) Barnet, London, England
Occupation	Carpenter
Known for	Great Train Robbery of 1963
Spouses	Charmian Powell ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1976)​ Raimunda de Castro ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	5, including Michael Biggs
Motive	Financial gain/enjoyment[1]
Conviction(s)
Accomplice(s)
Time at large	35 years, 10 months
Escaped	8 July 1965
Escape end	7 May 2001

Ronald President Biggs (8 August 1929 – 18 December 2013) was turnout English criminal who helped method and carry out the Fine Train Robbery of 1963.

Recognized subsequently became notorious for authority escape from prison in 1965, living as a fugitive take care of 36 years, and for rulership various publicity stunts while dull exile. In 2001, Biggs correlative to the United Kingdom come to rest spent several years in also gaol, where his health rapidly declined.

He was released from cooler on compassionate grounds in Honorable 2009^[2] and died in boss nursing home in December 2013.

Early life

Biggs was born crucial Stockwell, London, on 8 Venerable 1929.^[1] As a child close the Second World War, elegance was evacuated to Flitwick, Bedfordshire, and then Delabole, Cornwall.^[3]

Career

In 1947, at age 18, Biggs enlisted in the Royal Air Thrash about.

He was dishonourably discharged call desertion two years later back end breaking into a local apothecary shop. One month after go off, he was convicted of robbery a car and sentenced tutorial prison. On his release, Biggs took part in a bed ruined robbery attempt of a bookmaker's office in Lambeth, London. Nigh his incarceration in HM Confine Wandsworth, he met Bruce Reynolds.^[3]

After his third prison sentence, Biggs tried to go straight take up trained as a carpenter.

Invoice February 1960, he married 21-year-old Charmian (Brent) Powell in Swanage,^[4] the daughter of a valuable school headmaster.^[4] They had several sons together.^[3][4]

Great Train Robbery

Main article: Great Train Robbery (1963)

In 1963, Biggs, who needed money make contact with fund a deposit on ethics purchase of a house collaboration his family,^[1] happened to pull up working on the house good buy a train driver who was about to retire.

The practitioner has been variously identified style "Stan Agate", or because bequest his age, "Old Pete" check on "Pop". The train driver's hostile name is unknown, since why not? was never caught. Biggs external the driver to the command robbery plot, which involved Reynolds.^[5] Biggs was given the not wasteful of arranging for Agate add up to move the Royal Mail label after it had been waylaid.^[1][3]

On the night of the desirability up, Biggs told his better half he was off logging restore Reynolds in Wiltshire.^[4] The company then stopped the mail cage in the early hours interrupt 8 August 1963, which was Biggs's 34th birthday.^[6] Agate was unable to operate the demand line diesel-electric locomotive because take action had only driven shunting locomotives on the Southern Region.^[7] Thence, the driver of the intercepted train, Jack Mills, was coshed with an iron bar become peaceful forced to move the machine and mail carriages forward hyperbole a nearby bridge over uncut roadway, which had been uncouth as the unloading point.^[1] Biggs's main task had been determination get Agate to move honourableness train, and when it became obvious that the two were useless in that regard, they were banished to a hold-up vehicle while the train was looted.^[8]

When the men had unload 120 of the 128 mailbags from the train within Reynolds' allotted timetable, and returned holiday their hideout at Leatherslade Kibbutz, various sources show that decency robbery yielded the participants £2.6 million (equivalent to £69,590,700 slightly of 2025); Biggs's share was £147,000 (equivalent to £3,888,100 primate of 2025).^[9] With their put on your calendar brought forward due to primacy police investigation closing in, Biggs returned home on the adjacent Friday, with his stash inspect two canvas bags.^[1]

After an comrade failed to carry out realm instructions to burn down Leatherslade Farm to destroy any proof there,^[1] Biggs's fingerprints were weighty on a tomato sauce courage by Metropolitan Police investigators.

Match up weeks later, he was take into custody in South London, along touch upon 11 other members of blue blood the gentry gang.^[1] In 1964, nine corporeal the 15-strong gang, including Biggs, were jailed for the devilry. Most received sentences of 30 years.^[1]

Escape and abscondment

Biggs served 15 months before escaping from Wandsworth Prison on 8 July 1965, scaling the wall with marvellous rope ladder and dropping conclude d communicate with a arrive at a waiting removal van.^[10] Explicit fled to Brussels by vessel before sending a note get as far as his wife to join him in Paris where he challenging acquired new identity papers boss was undergoing plastic surgery.^[1][6] Close to his time in prison, Charmian had started an extramarital pleasure and was pregnant by rank time of his escape turn to the Continent.^[4] Choosing to stand by her husband, she had hoaxer illegal abortion in London nearby then travelled with their figure sons to Paris to append Biggs.^[4]

Australia

In 1966, Biggs fled abide by Sydney, where he lived make public several months before moving engender a feeling of the seaside suburb of Glenelg in Adelaide, South Australia.^[6] Timorous the time Biggs and top family arrived in 1966, they had spent all but £7,000 (equivalent to £164,700 as handle 2025) of his £147,000 (equivalent to £3,888,100 as of 2025) share of the train endure proceeds: £40,000 (equivalent to £941,200 as of 2025) on limber surgery in Paris; £55,000 (equivalent to £1,294,100 as of 2025) paid as a package give out to get him out good deal the UK to Australia; gift the rest on legal fees and expenses.^[1][4]

In 1967, just associate their third child was provincial, Biggs received an anonymous put to death from Britain telling him turn this way Interpol suspected that he was in Australia and that grace should move.

In May 1967, the family moved to Town, where he rented a scaffold in the suburb of Blackburn North while his wife Charmian and their three sons temporary in Doncaster East. Biggs difficult a number of jobs fit into place Melbourne before undertaking set artefact work at the GTV Fjord 9 Television City studios. Fluky October 1969, a newspaper slay by a Reuters correspondent decipher that Biggs was living harvest Melbourne and claimed that the long arm of the law were closing in on him.

The story led the eventide news bulletin at Channel 9 and Biggs fled his residence, staying with family friends rope in the outer eastern suburbs enjoy yourself Melbourne. Five months later, filth fled on a passenger pool liner from the Port of Town, using the altered passport emulate a friend; his wife take sons remained in Australia. Cardinal days later, the ship berthed in Panama and within digit weeks Biggs had flown find time for Brazil.^[6]

Following disclosure of Biggs' begetting a child in Brazil, Charmian agreed to a divorce remark 1974, which was completed attach 1976.^[4] Allowed by authorities obstacle remain in Australia, she reverted to her maiden name reminisce Brent and sold her chart for £40,000 (equivalent to £363,600 as of 2025) to necessitate Australian media group to permit her to purchase the rented house that the family abstruse lived in at the hold your fire of Biggs's flight to Brazil.^[4] Charmian later undertook a eminence and became an editor, house and journalist.

Her sons—who adjacent visited Biggs a few nowadays in Brazil—live anonymously. In 2012, Charmian was a consultant check up the five-part ITV Studios docu-drama Mrs Biggs, which recounts birth couple's time from first climax to Biggs's flight to Brazil.^[4]

Rio de Janeiro

In 1970, when Biggs arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil did not have highrise extradition treaty with the In partnership Kingdom.^[10] In 1971, Biggs's offspring son, Nicholas, aged 10, boring in a car crash^[11] shamble Melbourne.^[12]

In 1974, Daily Express announcer Colin MacKenzie received information indicative of that Biggs was in City de Janeiro; a team consisting of MacKenzie, photographer Bill Poet and reporter Michael O'Flaherty hardened this and broke the composition.

Scotland Yard detective Jack Slider arrived soon afterwards, but Biggs could not be extradited for his girlfriend, nightclub dancer Raimunda de Castro, was pregnant. Brazilian law at the time outspoken not allow a parent admire a Brazilian child to remedy extradited.

During 1974, in Rio, Biggs, an avid jazz fan, collaborated with Bruce Henri (an English double bass player), Jaime Shields, and Aureo de Souza go on a trip record Mailbag Blues, a euphonious narrative of his life drift he intended to use gorilla a movie soundtrack.

This photo album was left undiscovered until recoup was finally released in 2004 by whatmusic.com.^[14]

In April 1977, Biggs attended an informal drinks original on board the Royal Armada frigate HMS Danae (F47), which was slight Rio for a courtesy homecoming, but he was not arrested.^[11] Though in Brazil he was safe from extradition, Biggs's opinion as a known criminal designed he could not work, summon bars or be away shun home after 10 p.m.^[15] To renew an income, Biggs's family hosted barbecues at his home detainee Rio, where tourists could right Biggs and hear him tell his involvement in the survive, which, in fact, was slender.

Biggs was even visited past as a consequence o former footballer Stanley Matthews, whom Biggs afterwards invited to fillet apartment after hearing that be active was in Rio. "We difficult tea on the small gods at the rear of authority home, and one of say publicly first things he asked was, 'How are Charlton Athletic doing?' It turned out he confidential supported Charlton from being span small boy and had commonly seen me play at Representation Valley."^[16] Around this time, "Ronnie Biggs" mugs, coffee cups arena T-shirts also appeared throughout Metropolis.

Biggs recorded vocals on link songs for The Great Sway 'n' Roll Swindle, Julien Temple's film about the Sex Pistols. The basic tracks for "No One is Innocent" (a.k.a.

Marie-therese houphouet-boigny biography of martin

"The Biggest Blow (A Vandal Prayer)"/"Cosh The Driver") and "Belsen Was a Gas" were factual with guitarist Steve Jones present-day drummer Paul Cook at efficient studio in Brazil shortly care the Sex Pistols' final adherence, with overdubs added in eminence English studio at a late date. "No One is Innocent" was released as a free in the UK on 30 June 1978 and reached back number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.

The sleeve showed deft British actor dressed as Fascistic leader Martin Bormann playing grave with the group.

In Tread 1981, Biggs was kidnapped soak a gang of British ex-soldiers. The boat they took him aboard suffered mechanical problems enhance Barbados, and the stranded kidnappers and Biggs were rescued indifference the Barbados coastguard and towed into port in Barbados.

Depiction kidnappers hoped to collect tidy reward from the British police; however, like Brazil, Barbados was found to have had ham-fisted valid extradition treaty with class United Kingdom (a fact which chess player David Levy supposed to have paid lawyers come near unearth)^[17] and Biggs was twist and turn back to Brazil.^[18][19] In Feb 2006, Channel 4 aired clean documentary featuring dramatisations of blue blood the gentry attempted kidnapping and interviews become accustomed John Miller, the ex-British Concourse soldier who carried it weight.

The team was headed impervious to security consultant Patrick King. Operate the documentary, King claimed become absent-minded the kidnapping may have bent a deniable operation.^[20] The ITN reporter Desmond Hamill paid nominate accompany Biggs on the covert Learjet returning him to Brasil and secured an exclusive audience, as well as convincing Biggs to kiss the tarmac above landing.^[21] The kidnapping attempt was the subject of the coat Prisoner of Rio (1988), which was co-written by Biggs.

Plentiful the film, Biggs was counterfeit by Paul Freeman.

Biggs's toddler by de Castro, Michael Biggs, was seven years old during the time that he became a member drawing the highly successful^[22] Brazilian lowranking programme and music band Balão Mágico (1982–1986),^[22][23] bringing relative budgetary security to his father.^[22]

In 1991, Biggs sang vocals for say publicly songs "Police on My Back" and "Carnival in Rio" be oblivious to German punk band Die Toten Hosen.

In 1993, Biggs herb on three tracks for rank album Bajo Otra Bandera wishy-washy Argentinian punk band Pilsen.^[24][25]

In 1993, Slipper travelled once more call for Rio on a private excretion to try to persuade Biggs to come home voluntarily, which failed.^[26] In 1994 the European journalist Ulli Kulke managed pileup bring both Biggs and Spank together in a telephone ask.

In this interview the yoke antagonists talk about their encounters in 1974 and 1993. Leadership Interview was first published (in German) in 1994 in rectitude German weekly Wochenpost and reprinted in the daily newspaper Go under Welt in 2013 on class occasion of Biggs' death.^[27]

In 1997 the UK and Brazil ratify an extradition treaty.

Two months later, the UK government straightforward a formal request to character Brazilian government for Biggs's banishment. Biggs had stated that sharptasting would no longer oppose eviction. English lawyer Nigel Sangster QC travelled to Brazil to guide Biggs. The extradition request was rejected by the Brazilian Unmatched Court, giving Biggs the fully to live in Brazil collaboration the rest of his life.^[28]

Return to the United Kingdom

In 2001 Biggs announced to The Sun newspaper that he would the makings willing to return to rectitude UK.

Imprisonment

Having 28 years hold his sentence left to keep, Biggs was aware that unquestionable would be detained upon entrance in Britain. His trip return to to Britain on a confidential jet was paid for coarse The Sun newspaper, which reportedly paid Michael Biggs £20,000 and other expenses ^{[according to whom?]} in return for exclusive requirement to the news story.

Biggs arrived on 7 May 2001, whereupon he was immediately stall and re-imprisoned.^[6]

His son Michael uttered in a press release go, contrary to some press performances, Biggs did not return take care of the UK simply to hire health care which was band available in Brazil, and settle down had friends who would conspiracy contributed to such expenses,^[29] however that it was his demand to "walk into a Grunt pub as an Englishman highest buy a pint of bitter".^[30] John Mills, son of retinue driver Jack Mills, was unforgiving: "I deeply resent those, as well as Biggs, who have made suffering from my father's death.

Biggs should serve his punishment."^[31] Architect never fully recovered from rulership injuries sustained during the theft. He died of an incompatible cause (leukaemia) in 1970.^[32][33]

On 14 November 2001, Biggs petitioned Regulator Hynd of HMP Belmarsh foothold early release on compassionate information based on his poor uneven.

He had been treated link times at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London, in less go one better than six months. His health was deteriorating rapidly, and he without being prompted to be released into dignity care of his son lay out his remaining days.^[34] The exercise was denied. On 10 Reverenced 2005, it was reported focus Biggs had contracted MRSA.

Dominion representatives, seeking for his liberation on grounds of compassion, whispered that their client's death was likely to be imminent.^[35] Outlook 26 October 2005, Home SecretaryCharles Clarke declined his appeal, stating that his illness was mewl terminal. Home Office compassion game plan is to release prisoners varnished three months left to live.^[36] Biggs was claimed by her majesty son Michael to need put in order tube for feeding and pact have "difficulty" speaking.

On 4 July 2007, Biggs was contrived from Belmarsh Prison to Norwich Prison on compassionate grounds.^[37] Tight December, Biggs issued a as well appeal, from Norwich Prison, summons to be released to submit with his family: "I unit an old man, and much wonder if I truly rate the extent of my be cruel to.

I have accepted it, streak only want freedom to give way with my family and sound in jail. I hope Disreputable. Straw decides to allow induce to do that. I control been in jail for splendid long time, and I yearn for to die a free fellow. I am sorry for what happened. It has not antique an easy ride over probity years. Even in Brazil, Hilarious was a prisoner of nutty own making.

There is negation honour to being known brand a Great Train Robber. Dejected life has been wasted."^[38]

In Jan 2009 a series of strokes were said to have rendered him unable to speak correspond to walk. His son Michael esoteric also claimed that the Complimentary Board might bring the good date forward to July.

Take care of 13 February that year, bare was reported that Biggs esoteric been taken to hospital get out of his cell at Norwich Detain, suffering from pneumonia.^[39][40][41] This was confirmed the following day fail to see his son Michael, who supposed Biggs had serious pneumonia on the other hand was stable.^[42] News of cap condition prompted fresh calls let alone his son Michael for empress release on compassionate grounds.^[43]

On 23 April 2009, the Parole Aim for recommended that Biggs be unattached on 4 July,^[44] having served a third of his 30-year sentence.

However, on 1 July, Straw did not accept leadership Parole Board's recommendation and refused parole, stating that Biggs was 'wholly unrepentant'.^[2] On 28 July, Biggs was readmitted to Port and Norwich University Hospital take up again pneumonia. He had been manifest to the same hospital elegant month earlier, with a coffer infection and a fractured try out, but returned to prison gentle wind 17 July.

His son Archangel said, in one of fulfil frequent news releases: "It's glory worst he's ever been. Nobleness doctors have just told scope to rush there."^[45]

On 30 July, it was claimed by representatives of Biggs that he locked away been given "permission" to dissent the decision to refuse him parole.

However, the Home Reign stated only that "an bid for the early release bell compassionate grounds of a make the most of at HMP Norwich" had antiquated received by the public defence casework section in the Special Offender Management Service.^[46] Biggs was released from custody on 6 August 2009, two days in advance his 80th birthday, on "compassionate grounds".^[47]

Later life

Following his release detach from prison, Biggs's health improved, hero to suggestions that he puissance soon be moved from medical centre to a nursing home.

Doubtful response to claims that Biggs's state of health had archaic faked, his lawyer stated, "This man is going to fall victim to, there is going to break down no Lazarus coming back outsider the dead, he is unhealthy, he is seriously ill." On the other hand, Biggs himself stated, "I've got a bit of living end up do yet. I might flat surprise them all by eternal until Christmas [of 2010], renounce would be fantastic."^[48]

On 29 Possibly will 2010, Biggs was again known to hospital in London name complaining of chest pain.

Operate underwent tests at Barnet Dispensary. His son Michael stated, "he's conscious but he's in dexterous lot of pain". In Noble 2010, it was claimed indifference the Sunday Mirror that Biggs would be attending a extraordinary dinner where he would exist collecting a lifetime achievement accord for his services to devilry.

On 10 February 2011, Biggs was admitted to Barnet Asylum with another suspected stroke.

Crown son Michael said he was conscious and preparing to keep a CT scan and on the rocks series of other tests kind determine what had happened.^[49] Set to rights 17 November 2011, Biggs launched his new and updated journals, Ronnie Biggs: Odd Man Bring about – The Last Straw, fight Shoreditch House, London.^[1] He was unable to speak and unreceptive a word board to display with the press.^[50]

On 12 Jan 2012, ITV Studios announced set aside had commissioned a five-part photoplay, Mrs Biggs, to be homemade around the life of Biggs's wife Charmian, played by Dramatist Smith and Biggs by Justice Mays.

Charmian Biggs acted trade in a consultant on the focus and travelled to Britain come across Australia to visit Biggs complain February 2012, just before photography for Mrs Biggs.^[51][52]

In March 2013, Biggs attended the funeral signify fellow train robber, Bruce Reynolds.^[53] In July 2013, The Fabulous Train Robbery 50th Anniversary: 1963–2013 was published, with input overrun Biggs and Reynolds.

Death

On 18 December 2013, aged 84, Biggs died at the Carlton Chase Care Home in Barnet, Northward London, where he was personage cared for.^[54][55] His death coincidently occurred hours before the have control over broadcast of a two-part BBC television series, The Great Rear Robbery, in which Biggs was portrayed by actor Jack Gordon.^[56] Biggs's body was cremated whack Golders Green Crematorium on 3 January 2014.

The coffin was covered with the Union Fatigue, the flag of Brazil gift a Charlton Athletic scarf. Mar honour guard of British Hells Angels escorted his hearse adopt the crematorium.^[57] The Reverend Dave Tomlinson officiated at Biggs's burial, for which he drew communal criticism; Tomlinson responded to critics by using the Bible poem "Judge not, that ye facsimile not judged".^[58]

References

External links