THE passage of time has a habit of romanticising perceptions of hardened criminals.

The process of rehabilitation within public opinion was amply demonstrated by the Kray brothers, who, by the end of their lives, were viewed with reverence in some quarters.

They were, in fact, hardened criminals, who saw murder, violence and intimidation as a way of life.

They were role models for no one, and it is shameful that in some circles that was how they became to be viewed.

In a similar way, Ronnie Biggs has been feted by many people and by some sections of the media.

The focus on his daring jailbreak and his playboy lifestyle in Brazil diverted attention from the fact that he was a violent criminal, a key member of a gang which resorted to sickening brutality to carry out the biggest robbery Britain had seen.

He was such a dangerous criminal that our system of justice determined that he should be deprived of his liberty for 30 years.

If Biggs does return to Britain, he should be welcomed as the fugitive and criminal he is. And not as a folk hero.

He is not seeking to come back to this country because he feels any remorse, or because his conscience tells him he must face his obligation to justice at long last.

He wants to come to Britain because he is a sick man, who wants to have the best medical treatment the world can offer.

After 36 years on the run, why should we agree to his wishes? We wonder whether justice in his case would not be better served by refusing him entry into Britain.

Whatever happens, his notoriety must not entitle him to special treatment. We must never lose sight of the fact that he remains unpunished for a despicable crime.

Hearts of steel

THE decision by Corus to press ahead with its programme of redundancies comes as no surprise.

The company has steadfastly refused to be drawn into any meaningful consultations about its cuts.

Teesside must now begin the painful task of regenerating its economy in the face of the rundown of one of its mainstay industries.

The package of measures announced by the Government yesterday demonstrates the resolve with which the rebuilding exercise will be undertaken.

But the underlying confidence in the area must not mask the personal tragedies facing those steelworkers who are to lose their jobs.

And it must not detract from the outrage at the short-sightedness of Corus' decision and its abandonment of workers who have committed themselves to improving productivity and the long-term viability of steel-making on Teesside.