However, Ferris was found not guilty of all charges in June that year after the longest-running murder trial in Scottish legal history. Dumbarton police stop 'dangerous' vehicle on A82 as driver fails cannabis test. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MOB+WIFE+FUNERAL.-a0146927061. The world's leading specialists in the distribution of art, cultural and historical images and footage for reproduction. He was seen as the rising star of the Glasgow underworld and a man who could take over from Arthur Snr. Ironically Ferriss incarceration by the authorities saved his life. His own death almost 30 years ago marked the end of an astonishing era in the history of the city's underworld. Glasgow's original Godfather: Walter Norval. A few days after the double murder, armed police raided the Ponderosa home looking for evidence but nothing was found. Commuters will have the chance to grab some pre-loved fashion bargains later this month, with the money raised helping Shelter Scotland amidst the housing emergency. As we release the first episode of our Glasgow Crime Stories podcast, read the extended version of telling the story of infamous crime godfather Arthur Thompson and the murder of his son. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. - but was later drafted for National Service, which he was determined to avoid, as he had much of school. If you're in need of a Friday funny, this typo blunder spotted at TJ Hughes in Glasgow could be just the thing to cheer you up. New Glasgow west end venue The Wendy Bar opens its doors on Byres Road. Arthur was charged with their murders, but he was set free because no witnesses came forward to testify. Man charged in connection with death of Neil Canney in Greenock. In 1969 Thompson's wife, Rita, forced her way into the Welsh home, stabbed Patrick Welsh's wife in the chest, and was jailed for three years. Brothers Martin, George and Henry Welsh, 24, were charged with murdering Margaret and attempting to kill Arthur in the revenge attack. Arthur Thompson, Rita Thompson.Circa, Glasgow Image ID: MX116351 Glasgow gangster Arthur Thompson, known as The Godfather, pictured with his wife Rita Thompson.Circa 1970. It was at this point he even joked about speaking with cotton wool in his mouth. Three months later, Thompson narrowly escaped death when he was in a car that exploded outside his house. There were 6,656 official murders in the nation in 2015 and in 2016; there was a homicide every hour in the first few months of the year. However, he survived an assassination attempt in 1985 and another one in 1988. THE widow of Arthur Thompson, the former Glasgow godfather, has died. [5] Their bodies had been dumped on the route of Fatboy's funeral procession, so that his hearse passed their dead bodies. When they arrived in Los Angeles, they encountered an established system of Latin gangs and were not welcome. Thompson is survived by Tracey Thompson, his last remaining child. HP10 9TY. . The gangster was always the same dealing with the police. He then walked the few yards from one court to another to give evidence in the Welshes murder trial. The gang clashed with the owners of matatus (privately owned minibusses) and approximately 50 people died in the violence. There was a massive turnout for young Arthurs funeral that afternoon with key members of the citys underworld there to pay their respects to both the victim and more importantly his father. It may be one of the few occasions when the law had got the better of him. As a result the takeover never took place. His own death almost 30 years ago marked the end of an astonishing era in the history of the city's underworld. The young Detective Constable got out his own car and ran to a nearby petrol station to phone the emergency services, where he also found Thompson who then sped off. They fought in the streets, they fought in the pubs and they made names for themselves - but it was amongst themselves. Kenyans who live in the slums carrying the body of a suspected Mungiki member. Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military records. View the profiles of people named Rita. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. At the time his parents lived in Provanmill Road, Blackhill, in a garishly converted former council house nicknamed The Ponderosa, after the 1960s cowboy TV series Bonanza. Family and friends gathered in Motherwell to pay their respects to little Isabella Grace Docherty and lit lanterns for the five-year-old who died hours after complaining of feeling sick. Secret reports on Thompson from the late 1960s, made public for the first time by the Scottish Government in 2010 under Freedom of Information, present a chilling portrait of the man. Glasgow crime stories: Arthur Thompson who ruled the city's underworld for more than 30 years. Arthur was an enforcer in Scotland for the Krays during the late Fifties, and by the mid-Sixties had established a chain of pubs and dance halls, popular haunts for gangsters. It's not known what Thompson's views were when Ferris was cleared of murdering his son. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. The trial has to be delayed. Arthur was also involved in legitimate enterprises such as pubs, demolition, corner shops, garages, and carpet showrooms to keep his assets hidden and launder money from his various criminal enterprises. They just pay someone a couple of grand to go and hurt people for them.. [5] His other son, Billy, was stabbed and seriously wounded 400 yards (350 metres) from the family home [8] in 2000, but survived. We are lucky at The Herald. In 1966 he had been involved in a high-value theft of clothes from a shop in Glasgow and was sentenced to four years in prison. View Anniversary. Also known as MS-13, Mara Salvatrucha is arguably the most dangerous gang in the United States at present and they are apparently the gang that the FBI is most worried about. No one man had dominated organised crime in the city quite like Arthur Thompson and no one man ever would. Brothers Martin, George and Henry Welsh, 24, were charged with murdering Margaret and attempting to kill Arthur in the revenge attack. Obituaries & obituary notices in Glasgow. In August 1991, Arthur Jnr, 31, was shot dead outside the Thompson family home while on weekend leave from prison. Prison chiefs were also under no illusions about the kind of man they were dealing with. At one time, he had at least 20 pubs in Glasgow paying him 4000 each week. One police file said: The overall picture of Thompson is that of a violent, vicious and active criminal who will stop at nothing to uphold his position in the underworld as a hard man and to gain his own ends". This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's He saw little of his father and mother a mixed marriage in the Glasgow sense, father a Catholic, mother a Protestant romping around the area, avoiding school and police, whatever criminal mischief was afoot Wattie was at the heart of it. Secret reports on Thompson from the late 1960s made public for the first time by the Scottish Government in 2010 present a chilling portrait of the man. Legend has it that the crime boss later viewed the bodies and shot both men in the chest with another gun. [11][12][13], Thompson died at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 13 March 1993 from a heart attack at the age of 61. Norval went down for 14 years. Three years later, Ferris was accused of the murder of the Fatboy who was shot three times outside of his home. He was caught and, as criminals did at the time, called for the legendary lawyer Joe Beltrami, who hired advocate Nicky Fairbairn to defend him. Beatings and slashings were routinely inflicted on anyone who failed to pay up. The young cop who took on the Godfather rose through the ranks to become head of the Strathclyde Police Serious Crime Squad and retired at the rank of Detective Superintendent in 1992. With Fatboy in prison, Old Arthur had to return before his rivals picked his empire apart. Friends of Thompson say he was never the same after young Arthurs death. His former business associate, Frankie Fraser, said Mrs Thompson was a "lovely lady". It was rumoured to be fitted out with secret passages, hiding spots, and its own underground tunnel. See Rita S Thompson's age, phone number, house address, email address, social media accounts, public records, and check for criminal records on Spokeo. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Business reporter with panache dies in retirement. In August 2014 he died from pneumonia aged 85, cuing the high-profile exit at Maryhill Crematorium with musical accompaniment by the Clash. Feedback | It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. rita thompson glasgow. Initially, the group was in favor of female circumcision and later adopted rituals such as wearing dreadlocks and swearing oaths like the Mau Mau rebels who fought against Britain in the 1960s. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Galena where friends may gather after 10:30 AM until the time of mass. heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment. His death, coupled with the jailing of Paul Ferris on firearms charges in 1999, left a void which has generated a wave of violence. She was born September 4, 1944, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Stephen Jr. and Rita (Theriault) Murphy. The Peddie School community mourns the death of Leonore Annenberg, wife of our esteemed alumnus, the late Walter Annenberg '27. Arthur Thompson, known as the Godfather in the city, formed the gang and began his career as a money lender in a council estate. [8] View the profiles of people named Rita Thompson. While some American readers may know about MS-13 as they apparently operate in 42 states, the gang was relatively unknown outside of the Americas until recently. [7] Paul Ferris was charged with Arthur Thompson Jr's murder and tried in 1992 but was found not guilty and released. We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse. Gangsters usually have elaborate and colourful funerals and Walter Norval's was no different. In May, veteran gangland boss Frank McPhee was shot through the head on his doorstep, as his 11-year-old son looked on in terror. John and Elizabeth Brooks Published on18/06/2021. The jailing of Fat Boy brought challenges from gangs hoping to take over the Thompson empire. The gunman, an IRA hitman, had been hired by a rival to kill him. Join Facebook to connect with Rita Thompson and others you may know. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. As money rolled in, they converted their council home into a palace, buying the property next door and knocking the two together. For all advertising and other non-editorial uses contact the GIW office for further information. Thompson would also carry out hits for the Krays in London and they would do the same in return in Glasgow. He hobbled into the Sheriff Court to plead guilty to having 15 of cannabis which he claimed he used to alleviate arthritis. But that was all in the past for Ferris as he savoured his dramatic acquittal on the High Court steps before a cheering crowd. On the eve of it the north court of the High Court in Glasgow is set on fire by Norval's mob in attempt to burn all the files on the case they believe are held in the vaults. Once, when giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow, Arthur Thompson even joked about speaking with cotton wool in his mouth a technique Brando used to sound like a mob boss. Had they lived both Hanlon and Glover would likely have stood trial alongside Ferris as alleged accomplices in Arthur Thompson Jnrs murder. So if you think you have a rare coin, here is what you need to know before selling. Ironically Ferris was a former friend and ally of the Thompson family, said to be closer to the father than even his own son. London, W2 4PH A few days after the double murder, armed police raided his Ponderosa home looking for evidence but nothing was found. One detective on the case said: 'He had been a dead man walking for years. Young Arthur - nicknamed Fat Boy by his detractors - had been released that Saturday morning from Noranside Prison in Angus on a weekend parole as part of a training for freedom programme. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. This luxury fortress was known as 'The Ponderosa'. Extended: Glasgow's crime godfather Arthur Thompson and the murder of his son, The Glasgow crime story of the murder of Jackie Gallagher, The Glasgow crime story of the mysterious murder of wealthy Marion Gilchrist in 1908, The Glasgow Crime Story of Eleni Pachou who was murdered in her work Di Maggio's. Their desire is to ensure their nation reverts to indigenous African traditions. ANNENBERG--Leonore. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Galena where friends may gather after 10:30 AM until the time of mass. Thompson survived - just - and two men have since appeared in court in connection with the attack, which police are treating as attempted murder. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM . The Thompson Gang was soon the most feared group in Scotland and rivals were terrified of Arthur due to his sadistic nature. This 936 square foot home is the last known address for Rita. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. The first milestone he set himself was to go to Borstal, which he achieved at 16 after breaking into a Hope Street office and holding up a newsagent with a fake gun. His criminal career, however, was not quite over and his last brush with it, ironically, involved drugs. A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Neil Canney in Greenock. Police are probing his links with a big dogfighting ring. For more than 30 years until his death in 1993 Arthur Thompson ruled Glasgows criminal underworld with an iron fist through his interests in extortion, money lending, illegal casinos, robbery, and drugs. gemini and scorpio parents gabi wilson net worth 2021. rita thompson glasgow. Thirty years later no one has yet been charged with the murders or stood trial. Many of the immigrants that arrived in the United States during the 1980s were used to violence as El Salvador is one of the worlds most dangerous places to live. Arthur survived, but his mother-in-law was killed. For more than 30 years until his death in 1993 Thompson ruled Glasgows criminal underworld with an iron fist through his interests in extortion, money lending, illegal casinos, robbery, and drugs. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. A Gannett Company. Head of crime clan Arthur Thompson His father ruled Glasgow's crime scene and was rumoured to have raked in 100,000 a week from protection rackets. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. MS-13 worked with Mexican drug cartels regularly and is becoming ever more active in the United States. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Death of another youth triggers protests in Kashmir. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. One retired publican said: To stop trouble all the landlord or bar manager in one of those pubs needed to say was, This is Arthur Thompsons place.. The 37-year-old was found seriously injured on his doorstep on Tuesday. Results will return exact matches only.Any images with overlay of text may not produce accurate results.Details of larger images will search for their corresponding detail. Arthur Thompson was one of 300 people called to give evidence. HE was Glasgows equivalent of Don Corleone, the fictional New York crime godfather immortalised in his portrayal by Marlon Brando. In a bravura performance from the witness box, he denied he was Glasgows Godfather and criticised the police. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can View the profiles of professionals named "Rita Thompson" on LinkedIn. The eyewitnesses who did not speak up at the trial were not bad people, they were just terrified of Thompson and what he might do to them.. In 1988, Thompson had another lucky escape when he was shot in the groin in a demolition yard he owned in the East End of Glasgow. The gang is sometimes referred to as the Kenyan version of the Yakuza, Mafia or Cosa Nostra due to its organization. There are 200+ professionals named "Rita Thompson", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. He gave evidence against the man accused of his sons murder, Paul Ferris, in 1992 at the High Court in Glasgow. Thompson later gave a personal undertaking to the police that he would not harm the two officers. A month later Norval sought Gibson out in a pub and stabbed him eight times before going on the run. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. After several escapes from camp he was sentenced to 18 months hard labour for slashing another soldier with shards of glass. He died in his father's arms. Fraser, now dead, once recalled: Down south, we viewed Glasgow as the Wild West. As a result, they were given a police guard and their families moved to safety in another part of the city. Some time afterwards he spotted them in their van. Which was only partly true because he hurt many nobodies. A few hours before Fat Boy's funeral, the bodies of local hardmen Bobby Glover and Joe 'Bananas' Hanlon, widely thought to be responsible for Fat Boy's death, were found outside a bar in east Glasgow. In 1969 Thompson's wife, Rita, forced her way into the Welsh home, stabbed Patrick Welsh's wife in the chest, and was jailed for three years. On the morning of young Arthur's funeral, a month after his murder, their bodies were discovered outside the Cottage Bar, in Shettleston, Glasgow. Tributes have been paid to Rita Rusk, once dubbed Scotland's first lady of hairdressing, after her death at the age of 75. The Mungiki was banned in 2002 after its involvement in extreme violence in Kenyas capital, Nairobi. View Rita Thompson results in Georgia (GA) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. He is known to have blown up a bar and social club after one owner refused to comply. Glasgow priest found guilty of abusing four young girls walks free from court. Scores of large ones involving hundreds of foot soldiers, secret weapons arsenals and explosives in safe houses across Glasgow, and over three years in the mid-70s they mob carried out dozens of armed robberies, usually of payrolls, often from hospitals and major works, but also from post offices across the country. As a result, they were given a police guard and their families moved to safety. The lack of a dominant godfather figure means rival factions are fighting to fill the power vacuum, and police fear the violence may escalate further. 74 members of the sect were arrested. In 1985, he was arrested and charged with supplying heroin in what was probably a set-up; an 11-year prison sentence was the result. Both men died, but Arthur escaped prosecution because no witness would testify against him. Overall, around 100 people died in the violence. Rita Thompson, 72, who had throat cancer, died on Tuesday. You can make a complaint by using the report this post link . And in a summation which might bring a tear to the glassiest eye she said, Dad wasnt motivated by money. Readers comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. Police have run up against a wall of silence, but believe the murder is linked to drugs. Police stopped a 38-year-old man on the A82 near Renton today for driving a vehicle which was in a state of disrepair. But when I was with Thompson, I was safe and I could have had anything in the pub that I wanted that night.. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. On the day of his funeral a month later, the bodies of Joe Hanlon and Bobby Glover were discovered outside the Cottage Bar, a pub they used in Shettleston, Glasgow. Kenyas security forces had to act and stormed into the Mathare region. It was clear to everyone in the citys underworld what type of message was being sent out with the double murder. Arthur was also involved in legitimate enterprises such as pubs, demolition, corner shops, garages, and carpet showrooms to keep his assets hidden. The newest bar in Glasgow's west end is run by the same people behind popular city centre bar Tingle on Mitchell Street. Legend has it that the crime boss later viewed the bodies and shot both men in the chest with another gun. If located in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Eire, kindly contact Mirrorpix directly at desk@mirrorpix.com. It was just a way for the terrified owner to pay protection to Thompson. Theres also little doubt that Arthur Thompson Snr ordered the killings. He forced their van off the road by driving his own car directly at it the van hit a lamp post and both men were killed. Brian Lundie, 41, is missing from the Baillieston area of Glasgow with officers issuing an urgent reappeal to find him, saying his disappearance is "very much out of character". The Godfather was reportedly able to use his prison contacts to have steaks, alcohol and chocolate delivered to him each day in his cell. However, Rita never sang a note. His closing years were plagued by two bouts of cancer, first of the bowel and then the lung. Rita's husband, William Gunn, the biker, isn't so lucky, getting five years in jail for threatening. If that was true then young Arthurs decision to take the night air was to prove fatal. On both occasions, he told police that he feared for his life. You can make a complaint by using the report this post link . Out of the darkness stepped a mystery man who opened fire before escaping in a stolen car with two other men. Although Thompson wasnt a tall man, he was powerfully built with a chilling stare that could terrify both friend and foe alike. Arthur Jnr had enjoyed a celebratory dinner with his father and other family members at the popular Cafe India restaurant in Glasgows Charing Cross. Registered in England and Wales as company number 01056394. All rights reserved. By the early 1980's Thompson - now in his 50's - was all-powerful in Glasgow and beyond. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. Other papers record Thompson trying to stir up a hunger strike and pressing inmates to petition for better privileges and visiting rights. On April 16, she posted a pic of the director holding her in a matching Gucci sweater, while . Although he was aging, Old Arthur was still seen as a threat, so his enemies wanted to remove him from the picture permanently. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. The violence was on a much, much higher level. A Gannett Company. Although he has been dead for nearly eight years, the name of Arthur Thompson still induces instant amnesia or muteness in Provanmill residents. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Facebook gives people the power to. He had been a regular visitor to Northern Ireland. We found 1021 people named Rita S Thompson. They can be seen laughing and seemingly kissing each other. But the damage to his family's already tattered reputation, not to mention the violent implications for Glasgow's underworld, look set to last for some time to come. contact the editor here. The documents cover the period from 1967 to 1969, when Thompson was in his late 30s and paint a picture of the criminal kingpin as a devious man used to getting his own way.