Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
In 2020, Donald Findlay KC, who served as the defense lawyer for Paul Ferris during his trial, described the case as the most unforgettable of his legal career. Reflecting on the trial to Hey Legal, Findlay highlighted how it brought together many prominent figures from Glasgow. He recalled that the proceedings involved virtually all the city’s key characters in one way or another.
Findlay explained that the trial revolved around the murder of Arthur Thompson Jr. and noted the complex dynamics at play—young Arthur had been killed, his father testified as a witness, and Ferris was seen by law enforcement as the natural successor to Arthur Thompson Sr. The case also featured several informants, or “supergrasses,” adding to the high-profile nature of the proceedings. Despite the serious charges, Findlay emphasized that Ferris was acquitted of every accusation against him.
Following his release from prison in 2002, where he had been incarcerated on gun-running offenses, Ferris shifted his focus to writing. His first book was later adapted into a film starring Martin Compston, who previously gained recognition as a teenager through Ken Loach’s film Sweet Sixteen. In this adaptation, John Hannah portrayed Ferris’s longtime adversary, Tam “The Licensee” McGraw. Although Ferris’s criminal activities spanned over thirty years, with allegations including drug trafficking and murder, the movie was filmed in London due to difficulties obtaining permission to shoot in Glasgow from both the City Council and local police.
Ferris continued his literary career by collaborating with crime author Reg McKay on two additional books, Vendetta and Villains. McKay, who passed away in 2012, worked alongside Ferris to further explore themes related to crime and the underworld. The crime boss himself died in 2007 at the age of 55, leaving behind a controversial legacy marked by his long-standing involvement in criminal enterprises
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.