Regardless of whether or not one agrees or disagrees with the impending release of train robber Ronnie Biggs, and it will spark much debate, it seems a little strange that the Parole Board believes that he still poses a risk of associating with other criminals and returning to violent crime.
He is 79 years old and, following a series of strokes, is unable to speak or move easily, is fed via a drip feed and communicates by means of an alphabet panel. It is remotely possible he could organise some sort of violent robbery, but highly improbable that he himself could actually be involved in any such act.
The sight of someone turning up at a bank with a zimmer frame, holding up a panel stating ‘Hand over the money or else I’ll try and hit you with my drip’ is not one we are likely to see.