Ronnie Biggs freed on compassionate grounds because of ailing health . The former Beatle was released from a hospital in London after being diagnosed with cancer last month. `` As a family , we are absolutely thrilled , '' Michael Biggs said , according to the UK 's Press Association . Biggs , 80 on Saturday , has been hospitalized suffering from severe pneumonia . Biggs escaped from jail , spent decades as a fugitive before returning to UK in 2001 .
Ronnie Biggs freed on compassionate grounds because of ailing health . The former Beatle was released from a hospital in London after being diagnosed with cancer last month. Biggs , 80 on Saturday , has been hospitalized suffering from severe pneumonia . Biggs escaped from jail , spent decades as a fugitive before returning to UK in 2001 .