Investigation underway into Biggs 'assault'

An investigation was continuing today after claims that Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs was assaulted by a member of prison staff in a British prison.

The 73-year-old claimed he was kicked to the floor and punched in the stomach on Sunday night, in an incident witnessed by other inmates at high-security Belmarsh jail in south-east London, his son Michael Biggs said.

Michael Biggs, 28, also claimed his father had been “karate kicked”.

Michael, who saw his father yesterday, said: “I walked in and my father was in tears – in all his years, inside and on the outside, he has never been so humiliated because he was unable to defend himself.

“The guy gave him a karate kick on the back of the leg then punched him in the stomach where he has a tube.

“I was horrified when I heard and very frightened for my father.

“Apparently there were several prisoners who witnessed the incident.

“Anyone who thinks kicking and punching an elderly man, particularly someone in such a poor state of health as my father, is acceptable in any circumstances is beyond belief.

“My father is severely shaken by this and very, very distressed.”

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “An allegation has been made that a prisoner was assaulted by a member of prison staff and this is being investigated.”

Meanwhile, a prison source said Ronnie Biggs himself had been disciplined for assaulting a member of staff.

He had also been unable to provide the names of the witnesses alleged to have seen the attack on him, the source said.

Michael Biggs, though, said the offence his father was accused of against the member of prison staff was innocuous.

His father, who is still being fed by a tube into his stomach, would be incapable of violence, he said.

“My father was charged with slapping the guy on the hand with a rolled up newspaper,” he said.

“My father can’t talk, can’t read, can’t write, can’t walk for 25ft unaided.

“He’s had two heart attacks and three strokes.”

Michael Biggs, who wants his father moved out of a Category A jail, claimed his father was being treated “worse than paedophiles or terrorists”.

He said: “He’s locked up 23 hours a day, it’s clearly not about rehabilitation, this is about punishment.”

Biggs returned to Britain from Brazil in May, 2001 to serve the rest of his 30-year sentence for the Great Train Robbery in 1963.