In 1974, a man attempted to kidnap Princess Anne from The Mall and demand a ransom from Queen Elizabeth for her safe release(Image: Getty Images)

The man who stopped the attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne has condemned the decision to free the man responsible for the attack, saying he “should’ve hit him harder”.

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In March 1974, the Princess Royal was stalked by then 26-year-old Ian Bell who attempted to then kidnap the princess on The Mall, shooting four people who tried to stop the attack. Ball appeared at the Old Bailey and was detained “without limit of time” under the Mental Health Act after he admitted to kidnap and attempted murders.

But Ball, who is now 77, was quietly released from the high-security Broadmoor Hospital, much to the dismay of Ronnie “The Geezer” Russell, who rushed to Anne’s aid during the terrifying attack. It comes after news that Prince Harry will ‘never be forgiven’ by two major royals despite reconciliation hope .

Ronnie “The Geezer” Russell helped to thwart the kidnapping attempt of Princess Anne

Ronnie was driving past when the then 23-year-old Anne was approached by Ball, who was attempting to abduct her and demand a £3million ransom from Queen Elizabeth.

Despite being threatened with a gun, Ronnie confronted Ball and landed three punches during the tense standoff, before police were able to overpower the would-be kidnapper.

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Since his release, Ball has launched a campaign to overturn his conviction, while maintaining that the kidnap attempt was a “hoax,” despite having admitted his crimes, including the attempted murder of two police officers, at the Old Bailey in 1974.

Princess Anne was stalked by then 26-year-old Ian Bell who attempted to then kidnap the princess on The Mall in 1974(Image: (Image: GETTY))

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Russell said of Ball’s freedom: “I can’t believe Ball’s been released, it’s ridiculous. I should have hit him a bit harder. Am I worried he might come and find me? Let’s go further – give him my address, and I’ll go one better this time.

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“He’s saying now, ‘None of it ever happened, there was supposed to be no gunpowder in the bullets.’ It’s absolutely impossible, because it did happen. I was there, watching him plead guilty. He should be recalled to Broadmoor.”

After the attempted kidnapping, Ball went on to spend 45 years in high-security psychiatric care, first at Rampton, then Broadmoor, where he spent thousands to publish his book To Kill a Princess in 2019 through the self-publishing firm Publish Nation Limited.

Russell seethed at Ball’s actions, saying: “When Ball was put away ‘at Her Majesty’s pleasure’ we were all sure he’d never be out.

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After the attempted kidnapping, Ronnie was invited to Buckingham Palace where he received the George Medal from the late Queen(Image: Getty Images)

“I can’t see any reason why he’s been released, why a publishing company agreed to print his autobiography, or how come he’s had benefits to save the money to go to Barbados. I’m going to Barbados later this year, but that’s because I worked for it. He’s been mollycoddled, and it’s been too easy for him.”

Ronnie then recalled his version of events from the night of the attempted kidnapping, saying he was working for a cleaning firm when he drove down the Mall that night in 1974 and saw the scene unfolding.

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The heroic man jumped from his vehicle and landed a punch on Ball, before running around the side of the car to the aid of a terrified Anne. He said: “I was lifting Princess Anne out of the car by her forearms, saying ‘Now we’re going to walk away, and he’s going to have to go through me to get to you’. I was a big lad. But Ball came round the car.

“When I turned, he was stood there with his gun pointed at me… shouting, ‘Come on, Anne, you’ve got to come.’ That’s when I decided it was going to be me, or him. I had to hit him first, and harder. I was quite prepared to sacrifice myself for a member of the Royal Family.”

After the attempted kidnapping, Ronnie was invited to Buckingham Palace where he received the George Medal from the late Queen. Recalling the event, Russell remembered: “The Queen went, ‘This medal thanks you as the Queen of England – I want to thank you as Anne’s mother.’ That was a touching moment.”

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