Glasgow's Notorious Paul Ferris Dies at 62: From Gangland to Author
Glasgow's Notorious Paul Ferris Dies at 62: From Gangland to Author
Paul Ferris, the infamous Glasgow gangland enforcer who later became a celebrated author, has died at 62. Explore his life, trials, and journey from the underworld to the literary world.
Paul Ferris, the notorious Glasgow gangland enforcer who later turned author, has died at the age of 62. He is believed to have passed away on Tuesday night at the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after a short illness. His life story, marked by his involvement in the underworld and a subsequent pivot to writing, captured public attention for decades.
Ferris first rose to prominence in the early 1980s as an enforcer for Glasgow crime boss Arthur Thompson Sr., famously known as "The Godfather." During this period, Ferris quickly earned a fearsome reputation that extended far beyond the city's boundaries, making him a central figure in the Scottish criminal landscape.
A pivotal moment in Ferris's life came in 1991 following the murder of Arthur Thompson Jnr, Thompson Sr.'s son.
Ferris was arrested as the prime suspect, leading to what became the longest and most expensive criminal trial in Scottish legal history at the time. Despite over 300 witnesses and a 54-day proceeding estimated to cost £4 million, Ferris was acquitted of murder and all other charges in 1992 after more than 24 hours of jury deliberation.
The murders of two other incriminated individuals, Joe "Bananas" Hanlon and Bobby Glover, found dead on the day of Thompson Jnr's funeral, remain unsolved to this day.
Years later, in 1998, Ferris was jailed for seven years on gun-running charges. Following his release from prison in 2002, he embarked on a new chapter as an author. His debut book, "The Ferris Conspiracy," published in 2001, offered insights into his life and experiences within Glasgow's underworld.
This book was later adapted into the 2013 film "The Wee Man," featuring "Line of Duty" star Martin Compston in the role of Ferris.
The news of his death was first shared by photographer Brian Anderson on his "Naked City" Facebook page. Anderson, who first met Ferris in 2002 and maintained a friendship for 25 years, described him as a best-selling author and a "former notorious criminal." He stated that the news would
come as a shock to many who knew him throughout the different chapters of his life.
Donald Findlay KC, who famously defended Ferris during the murder trial, once cited the case as the most memorable of his career, highlighting the "great characters of Glasgow" involved and the dramatic nature of the proceedings.
