Bruce Reynolds was the 'brains' behind the 'Great train robbery' in 1963 in which a gang robbed £2.4 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. 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. Since his release 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.