Page "Ronnie Biggs" Paragraph 5

In April 1977 Biggs attended a drinks party on board the British frigate Danae, which was in Rio for a courtesy visit, but surprisingly he was not arrested.

While for the time being safe from extradition, Biggs ' status as a known felon prevented him from working, visiting bars or being away from home after 10 pm.

To supplement their income, Biggs's family hosted barbecues at his home in Rio, where tourists could meet Biggs and hear him recount tales of his involvement in the Robbery ( which was in fact minor ).

It was not just tourists, however.

Biggs had heard that ex-footballer Stanley Matthews was in Rio and invited him to his apartment.

" We had tea on the small balcony at the rear of his home, and one of the first things he asked was, ' How are Charlton Athletic doing?

' It turned out he had supported Charlton from being a small boy and had often seen me play at The Valley.

" " Ronnie Biggs " mugs, coffee cups and T-shirts also appeared throughout Rio.