Raimunda: Why I'm marrying Ronnie

More than 27 years ago, she saved one of the most wanted criminals in Britain by having his child.

Today, Brazilian Raimunda Rothen married Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs - who is partially paralysed and faces life imprisonment - and in doing so will help their son. The wedding was visibly low in pomp but high in security at Belmarsh prison.

Miss Rothen, now 54, thwarted British detectives' attempts to have Biggs deported from Brazil in the Seventies because local law prevented the extradition of the father of a Brazilian child.

Now the marriage will bring their son Michael one step closer to his long-held aim of obtaining British citizenship in order to receive a passport - enabling him to travel freely between this country and Brazil.

Despite the legal benefits of the union, the family would only express their delight that the couple had finally decided to tie the knot. Michael Biggs, 27, told the Standard: "I'm delighted that my mother and father are to be married.

"We're all very happy and I'm very grateful the Prison Service has allowed my father to fulfil one of his last wishes."

Ronnie Biggs is now 72, and his sober wedding was a far cry from his heyday living the high life in Rio. There were fewer than a dozen guests and a small lunch reception followed the service; as the lunch is outside the prison, the groom could not attend.

It was 31 years ago when Raimunda Rothen caught Biggs's eye in a Rio cabaret club. He had escaped from Wandsworth prison in a furniture van, fled to Spain, sought refuge in Perth and altered his face with plastic surgery in a bid to avoid being captured by police.

As a result, he introduced himself to Miss Rothen as Mike Haines - and, for the next three years, kept his true identity from her. The truth was unveiled when detectives tracked him down to Brazil and ordered his extradition.

However, Miss Rothen ignored doctors' warnings that going ahead with her pregnancy could threaten both her health, and that of the child, and Biggs remained free. She said: "I knew I was taking a gamble by keeping the baby but I also realised I would lose Ronnie if I didn't. I took one of the biggest risks of my life - and it paid off."

Three years later she left Biggs, unable to tolerate his womanising and party lifestyle, and eventually moved to Geneva - where she lives with a son from her first marriage.

Since Biggs's return last year to Britain, Michael - whose girlfriend and two-year-old daughter live in Brazil - has been campaigning for a British passport. A Home Office spokesman confirmed that, according to the British Nationality Act 1981, the marriage of his parents will entitle him to one.

A spokesman said: "We will be able to review Mr Biggs's application in the light of these circumstances."

But those close to the family say the marriage is more about fulfilling Biggs's dying wishes. Judy Totton, spokeswoman for the family, said: "Ronnie proposed to Raimunda on four occasions in the past. She has been extremely worried about his health and has accepted, concerned that he might be reaching the end of his life."