Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has been formally released from prison after being granted freedom on compassionate grounds.

Biggs is severely ill with pneumonia and Justice Secretary Jack Straw approved his release on Thursday after being told he is unlikely to recover.

The Ministry of Justice signed off on his licence conditions, granting his formal release.

It said Biggs was now under the supervision of the Probation Service.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The licence papers have been signed on behalf of the Secretary of State and the Prison Service staff who were supervising him have been withdrawn.”

The 79-year-old, who is in a Norfolk hospital, is said to be “over the moon”.

His son Michael emerged from the hospital with his father’s release papers and said: “As a family, we are absolutely thrilled.

“My father is now a free man and that’s all there is to say.

“It was very emotional when the guards left.”

Michael Biggs said a duty prison governor outlined the terms and conditions of the release on licence to his father.

He waved the paperwork and told journalists: “It smells like freedom.”

He added: “My father still has a sense of humour, he shook hands with the prison guards and then just waved them off with his hands.” Next >>

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