Former Princess Anne Kidnapper Released Claims Innocence

Ian Ball, who attempted to kidnap Princess Anne in 1974 at the age of 26, has been released from Broadmoor Hospital on probation after decades of detention under the Mental Health Act. During the incident, Ball blocked the royal couple's car on The Mall, shot and wounded two policemen and two bystanders, and tried to abduct Anne for a £2 million ransom; Anne famously responded to his demand with "Not bloody likely." Despite pleading guilty to charges of attempted murder and attempted kidnap, Ball now insists he is innocent, claiming the gunpowder was removed from his bullets and that another woman was substituted for Princess Anne in a staged hoax. Since his release, he has been promoting a self-published book, "To Kidnap a Princess," which recounts his life and attempts to clear his name. Ball has refused to apologize to the men he wounded and maintains that Anne was "not bothered" by the incident, asserting he was more scared than she was. Authorities caution that Ball can be recalled to hospital if his mental health deteriorates and he poses a risk to the community.