The family of Glasgow crime boss Arthur Thompson Snr have appeared to celebrate the death of former gangster Paul Ferris, who was cleared in 1992 of the murder of Thompson's son.
Ferris died at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Tuesday, aged 62, following a short illness. Thirty-six years ago, Ferris was acquitted of murdering 31-year-old Arthur Thompson Jnr in what was then the longest-running trial in Scottish criminal history. Ferris was jailed for firearms offences in 1998 and served seven years behind bars.
Social media reaction
Hours after news of Ferris's death broke, Thompson Jnr's younger sister, Tracey, 61, posted a picture of a bottle of champagne on social media with the caption: "It would be rude not to." She also posted a similar picture of a glass of champagne and a bottle, accompanied with a smiley face emoji, the Daily Record reports.
Another family member commented: "I think we are going to need another Magnum bottle to celebrate properly after 34 years, even Walter Mitty couldn't dream up a wait like this."
The murder of Arthur Thompson Jnr
In the early 1980s, Ferris became part of Thompson's gang - Glasgow's biggest criminal clan - and worked as an enforcer and debt collector for Thompson Snr.
No one has ever been found guilty of the murder of the eldest son of "The Godfather", but the Thompson family remain convinced that Ferris was involved in the murder of Thompson Jnr. The 31-year-old, who was serving an 11-year jail term for possessing heroin with intent to supply, was on leave when he was shot three times while walking in Glasgow's Blackhill area in August 1991.
A family source told the Daily Record: "The Thompsons have never spoken publicly about young Arthur's murder or the fact that Paul Ferris was found not guilty. Ferris's sudden death now appears to have become a cause for celebration, 34 years after he walked free from [Glasgow's] High Court. It seems to be a case of the Godfather's revenge."
Trial and acquittal
On the day of Thompson Jnr's funeral in September 1991, two of the three men suspected of the murder, Joe Hanlon, 23, and Bobby Glover, 31, were found dead in a car outside the Cottage Bar in Shettleston, Glasgow. The third suspect, Ferris, had already been charged with Thompson Jnr's murder and was on remand in Glasgow's Barlinnie prison. All three men were close friends and associates and used the Cottage Bar as a meeting place.
Ferris's trial began in March 1992 and lasted 54 days. It was both the longest and most costly trial in Scottish criminal history, with the cost of the court case estimated at £4m and more than 300 witnesses called to give evidence. During the trial, Defence lawyer Donald Findlay said it could be suggested that Thompson orchestrated the killing of Hanlon and Glover in revenge for his son's murder. Thompson Snr, who gave evidence during the trial, snapped back: "I would say I was on trial here the way you are going." After 24 hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously acquitted Ferris of the murder and all other charges.
Six years later, Ferris stood trial at the Old Bailey in London, where he was convicted of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, deal in firearms and possess explosives.
Ferris maintained that he had left his criminal past behind after his release in 2001 and that he had established legitimate business interests, including a security firm and a construction company. In an interview with the Daily Record in July, the father of five addressed doubts about his claims. He said: "I have either been an absolute criminal genius for the last 25 years or I have done nothing wrong. Take your pick."
