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It was the media that gave that crime the title great train robbery, because it was unprecedented in the U.K. , involved a lot of people, and took a lot of planning. The general public in the U.K. felt some
sympathy for Biggs & Co because the sentences were considered to be
outrageous. Murderers usually got lesser sentences [typically 14 yrs.]
The sentences were harsh because it was a holdup of an official train,
which the government could not tolerate. As I understand it from the
media reports at the time, the violence would not have happened had
the driver done as he was told.
I must emphasise that, like Astroron, I in no way condone what they
did, but also like Astroron, I think the sentences were disproportionate
when compared to the norm of the times. Like Malcolm I have been
at the wrong end of a gun, but probably unlike Malcolm I have also
had my business destroyed by a tycoon who shall remain unnamed.
I got over the mugging, but never recovered financially.
raymo
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