Bandits and Outlaws

There have been many famous bandits and outlaws over time. The most notable famous British bandit and outlaw was Robin Hood (pictured right). He was famous for stealing from the rich to give to the poor. He was aided by his 'Merry men'. Was it right that this man was an outlaw though? What he did was in the best interests of people. He stole things that people didn't really need and gave the wealth to the people who were in need.

A famous American outlaw is Frank James who is the older brother of Jesse James. They were both involved in the same gang, Jesse James became more famous that Frank because of his death, who shot Jesse James? has become a well known phrase. Frank and Jesse were both involved in many bank robberies and were also involved in various murders but were never found guilty.

Ronnie Biggs is a very another famous bandit and outlaw, he was recently in the news after he was released from prison on compassionate grounds. He was involved in the very well known great train robbery. He manged to steal £2.6 million from a mail train which today would be around £40 million. Biggs was convicted and jailed but managed to escape jail and fled to Helsinki. It was only recently he came back to England (2001) where he was detained on arrival.

They say save the best until last, so Ned Kelly (pictured left), who was an Irish-Australian bandit and outlaw. He is a very interesting character, although he had a very short life he has left lasting memories which authors love to write about. Ned Kelly was first arrested when he was 14 years old and from then on he was arrested many more times but never jailed. He was accused of horse theft, murder, bank robbery. Towards the end of his life the police let out a statement that anybody could kill him and not be found guilty of murder which shows just how much of a danger he was to the public. Eventually he was captured and was executed by hanging when he was 25-26.

Click here for a small biography on Ned Kelly.