KIDNAPPING RONNIE The Inside Story of the most Spectacular Caper in British Criminal Folklore

Hardback. By the 1980s, the escape of fugitives from the British justice system was becoming a public embarrassment. There were villains and bank robbers living with impunity in Spain on the 'Costa del Crime'. Public feeling was that something ought to be done about this scandal and the press had taken up the cry against the government. But, how could any effective action be taken in such cases without creating a diplomatic incident? Here, the author tells the true story of the abduction of the notorious Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs from Brazil in 1981. It is one of the most spectacular capers in criminal folklore, involving a world famous villain, a group of former soldiers, and the shadowy world of British Intelligence. But, who was the mastermind behind the kidnap mission? Speculation has long been rife and many names have been suggested, all powerful figures with the money and the connections to have had the infamous train robber nabbed by such a highly-trained team of ex-servicemen. Was the kidnapping organised and funded by someone looking to make a quick buck from the massive publicity surrounding the whole affair? Or was the main organiser someone who wanted Ronnie Biggs to serve the time he deserved? It was even suggested that the Government may have been behind things from the start. In this remarkable tale of conspiracy, adventure and intrigue, one of the team relives his experience and shares his side of the story for the first time. Illus + Map. 262pp. 8vo. h/back. F. in protected F. dw.