'Escape king' goes on trial in Paris

A former gangster known as the ‘‘escape king’’ for a string of often spectacular prison breaks went on trial in Paris today for crimes dating back 25 years.

Francois Besse was also a top henchman of France’s most notorious gangster, Jacques Mesrine, who was killed in a dramatic chase in 1979 in northern Paris.

Besse, who made four prison breaks, and his cohorts drew media attention for their criminal escapades and were even regarded as folk heroes by some.

He was caught in Morocco eight years ago after 11 years on the run. Police had long believed he was dead.

Besse is being tried for six crimes committed between 1976-86, including armed robberies of a bank, a gun shop and the Deauville Casino - some involving hostages - and his 1978 escape from Paris’ La Sante Prison along with Mesrine.

The diminutive 57-year-old, known as ‘‘Petit Francois,’’ was convicted in his absence in five of the six cases.

He received four life sentences and the death penalty, which has been outlawed since 1981. Under French law, he must be retried.

As well as the Paris prison break, Besse also escaped custody in Bordeaux, Belgium and Spain.

His trial is expected to last two weeks.