TRANTERS SOLICITORS APPLY FOR RONNIE BIGGS TO BE RELEASED FROM HIGH SECURITY HMP BELMARSH ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS TO COINCIDE WITH HIS BIRTHDAY

August 09, 2004 - Press Dispensary - On August 9 2004, Ronald Biggs, represented by Manchester-based Tranters Solicitors, will have proceedings issued on his behalf in the High Court against the Prison Service to challenge the conditions of his continued detention in the HMP Belmarsh. UK taxpayers currently pay £55k/year to keep Mr Biggs, who is now aged 75 and partially paralysed, in the high security prison.

Mr Biggs was convicted for his part in the Great Train Robbery which took place on August 8, 1963. He was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. After escaping from custody and living in Australia and Brazil, he surrendered himself back into custody in 2001.

Mr Biggs, who turns 75 years old on 8 August 2004, has now served three years at HMP Belmarsh. He has suffered two strokes, resulting in facial paralysis which leaves him unable to speak or eat. He is fed liquids through a tube powered by an electric pump, and communicates by pointing to letters on a piece of A4 paper to spell words. He requires 24 hour nursing care, hence the considerable bill to UK taxpayers.

Despite evaluating him as a Category C prisoner, the Prison Service holds him in high-security conditions at HMP Belmarsh. Requests to transfer him to a lower security prison, consistent with his security category and prison service regulations, have so far been denied. Requests to release him on compassionate grounds due to his extreme ill health have also been denied.

Now almost exactly 41 years from the day of the Great Train Robbery, his solicitor, Kristen Bender of Tranters, is challenging the continued refusal to transfer or release him as a violation of Prison Service Order 0900 and the Human Rights Act, Article 3 and 8, which subjects him to cruel and inhuman conditions and an excessively harsh prison regime.

Ms Bender comments: “We are most concerned that the high-security conditions to which Mr Biggs is currently subjected do not comply with the law and are unnecessary given his inability to speak, eat or walk any distance. The Prison Service is retaliating against a sick, elderly man for an escape nearly 40 years ago, rather than punishing him appropriately and legally for the crime he committed.

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Tranters Solicitors is one of the largest criminal defence and prison law firms in the North West. It deals with a wide range of criminal matters, including 24 hour police station representation and court defence. Tranters has a serious crime unit, a personal injury and family law practice, and a respected prison law and human rights department that helps prisoners who are facing serious issues in prison. Stephen Tranter is managing partner of the firm, which employs more than 120 staff within eight offices in Greater Manchester.

For further information please contact:
Mrs Vicky Rispin, Tranters Solicitors
Tel: 0161 429 9997 / 07970 863
Email: