Bruce Reynolds

Bruce Reynolds (born 7th September 1931 in London) was the 'brains' behind the 'Great train robbery' in 1963 in which a gang robbed £2.6 million. He was a career criminal who liked the high life and drove an Aston Martin. An accomplished housebreaker and jewel thief, he formed the team that 'took the train' with friends Buster Edwards, Gordon Goody and driver Roy James amongst others. The robbery remained the most significant heist in British criminal history until the Brinks Mat robbery in 1983. During the 'Great Train Robbery,' the train driver, Jack Mills, was clubbed on the head with an iron bar and died seven years later of leukemia; ironically, Mills died a richer man than the robbers, due to a sympathetic public's donations.

Reynolds went on the run in the aftermath of the Great Train robbery, living under various aliases abroad. He spent considerable time in South America before returning to Britain, where he was tried and sentenced to ten years.

Since his release in 1979, he has enjoyed a moderately high profile as a media 'former criminal' celebrity and his autobiography 'The Autobiography of a Thief' was generally well received. Great Train Robbery criminals profiting from their crimes have brought complaints from many prominent UK political figures and also the family members of Jack Mills. John Mills, Jack Mills' son, has stated that "I deeply resent those... who have made money from my father's death."

External Reference links

[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article243216.ece 'Independent' article with John Mills comments.]