Robber Biggs weds ex-Samba dancer

Rothen shows off her wedding ring, hugged by her son, Michael

LONDON, England -- Ronnie Biggs, the only man still imprisoned for one of Britain's most notorious crimes, the 1963 Great Train Robbery, has married his girlfriend, a former Samba dancer 18 years his junior.

Biggs, 72, sealed his 31-year relationship with Raimunda Rothen in the chapel at Belmarsh Prison, southeast London, on Wednesday.

Rothen, 54, agreed to wed Biggs, who is partially paralysed after four strokes, despite knowing that her husband will not be a free man for another 28 years.

Biggs, whose gang made off with £2.6 million ($3.74 million) -- worth around $500 million today -- in the 1963 heist, gave his occupation as "carpenter" on the marriage documents and Belmarsh as his address.

He wore a grey suit and blue shirt and is reported to have shed a tear during the ceremony during which Biggs and Rothen are believed to have exchanged rings.

Their son Michael and two-year-old granddaughter Ingrid were among the 11 guests attending the private ceremony at the top security prison.

'Together now'

Biggs met Rothen during the time spent on the run in Brazil. After the ceremony Rothen told reporters she was "very happy."

"We are all together now as a family," Michael, 27, told the Press Association.

Rothen has visited Biggs several times at Belmarsh since his return and has been worried about his health, a family spokesman said.

No speeches were made during the brief ceremony but a private party was planned for later -- minus the groom.

Michael Biggs, who is a popstar in Brazil, is still battling deportation from the UK after his passport application was rejected.

Biggs has described in the past his first meeting with his future wife at the Rio Samba club.

"Among the dancers, I noticed a small young woman with long black hair and an enchanting smile."

Her pregnancy in 1974 effectively saved Biggs from deportation to the UK. She later moved to Switzerland.

It is Biggs' second marriage, having first been wed to a Charmian Powell, who went to Sunday school in Surrey, sang in the choir and rang the church bells. They had three children.