READ MORE:The Glasgow crime story of the mysterious murder of wealthy Marion Gilchrist in 1908. In the early 1960s, Thompson became close allies of notorious London gangsters The Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie so much so, they are reputed to have come up to Glasgow to seek his advice on a plan to take over The Beatles from their manager Brian Epstein. Glasgow's original Godfather: Walter Norval. In dramatic scenes, Thompson and the Welshes both stood trial at the same time at the High Court in Glasgow. Kenyans who live in the slums carrying the body of a suspected Mungiki member. The violence was on a much, much higher level. 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. *** Local Caption *** Scottish gangs This photo license is intended for editorial use only. In dramatic scenes, Thompson and the Welshes both stood trial at the same time at the High Court in Glasgow. On both occasions, he told police that he feared for his life. McPherson wrote: It was straight out of a Guy Ritchie movie and was full of cockney hardmen. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please [5], His other son, Billy, was stabbed and seriously wounded 400 yards (350 metres) from the family home[8] in 2000, but survived. 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. The police breakthrough came, inevitably, from an informant and many of the gang were found in Norval's Maryhill airt and in the south side under the noses of the authorities, just yards from the Orkney Street police office. Arthur Thompson, Rita Thompson.Circa, Glasgow. contact the editor here. 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. 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". Man charged in connection with death of Neil Canney in Greenock. 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. At one time, he had at least 20 pubs in Glasgow paying him 4000 each week. Rita Thompson, who had throat cancer, died in 2006 at the age of 72. It was the end of an astonishing era. The driver also failed a roadside drug wipe for cannabis. The 64-year-old woman was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital following the crash on Elmbank Street last month. After a few years of relatively low-key activity, the gang escalated its violent activity in 2007. He even threatened to bomb the homes of two off-duty police officers after they saw him kill two men in Royston Road, Glasgow, in May that year. McPherson wrote: It was straight out of a Guy Ritchie movie and was full of cockney hardmen. Death of another youth triggers protests in Kashmir. The gunman, an IRA hitman, had been hired by a rival to kill him. Rita M. Glasgow, 89, of Galena, died Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Galena Stauss Senior Care Community, Galena surrounded by her family. He died in his father's arms. While Arthur liked to make money and stay out of the limelight, Fatboy loved being known as a major player in Glasgow and reveled in showing off his wealth. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. [11][12][13], Thompson died at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 13 March 1993 from a heart attack at the age of 61. The jailing of Fat Boy brought challenges from gangs hoping to take over the Thompson empire. He was jailed three years ago for carrying a knife and, a week after his release, was jailed again for carrying a harpoon gun. AROUND a hundred mourners yesterday attended the funeral of gangster's wife Rita Thompson. 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. There are 200+ professionals named "Rita Thompson", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. He died from a heart attack in 1993 aged 61. Three years later, Ferris was accused of the murder of the Fatboy who was shot three times outside of his home. Like any other inmate, he regularly applied for parole and the previously secret documents reflected the view of the authorities had of him at the time. Joe Jackson was with his older brother John when they saw Thompson, in his top-of-the-range Jaguar, force a van into a lamppost, killing the occupants, James Goldie and Patrick Welsh. Billy Thompson has now been taken off the critical list and looks set to make a full recovery. [citation needed], Over 300 witnesses, including Thompson Sr,[11] were called to give evidence at a trial which lasted fifty four days and cost 4.1 million, at the time the longest[7] and most expensive trial in Scottish legal history. The first bullet grazed his cheek, the second smashed into his ribs, a lung, the third, tore through his gut and pierced his heart. [7] Paul Ferris was charged with Arthur Thompson Jr's murder and tried in 1992 but was found not guilty and released. [8] [7] Other children [ edit] Thompson's daughter, Margaret, died from a drug overdose in 1989. His other son, Billy died in 2017 as a result of his drug addiction. The newest bar in Glasgow's west end is run by the same people behind popular city centre bar Tingle on Mitchell Street. THE widow of Arthur Thompson, the former Glasgow godfather, has died. Rita Thompson Obituary. In the United States, MS-13 is making its deadly mark. But he was able to argue an attempted murder case down to a three-year sentence in Peterhead for assault. However, he survived an assassination attempt in 1985 and another one in 1988. The following year, the Mungiki fought against Kenyan police and two officers died. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. The Peddie School community mourns the death of Leonore Annenberg, wife of our esteemed alumnus, the late Walter Annenberg '27. They had been shot in the head and the anus. Glasgow shop sign blunder warns customers against 'consummation of food and drink'. The young cop rose through the ranks to become head of the Strathclyde Police Serious Crime Squad and retired at the rank of Detective Superintendent in 1992. A measure of his influence came after his oldest son Arthur Thompson Jnr was jailed for 11 years in 1985 for drug dealing. In August 1991, Arthur Jnr, 31, was shot dead outside the Thompson family home while on weekend leave from prison. 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. Honey Boo Boo star Alana Thompson's boyfriend Dralin . Both had been dumped in the well of Hanlon's Ford Orion car parked in Darleith Street a few yards from it's entrance. Rita M. Glasgow Obituary. Which was only partly true because he hurt many nobodies. "His depravity is veneered with conformity and deadly quietness, and he is difficult to undermine when he is on the alert. The spot where Fat Boy died is just a few yards from where Billy Thompson was stabbed 10 months ago during the unsuccessful first attempt on his life and a short distance from the site of the most recent attack. Thompson in turn was accused of the culpable homicide of Goldie and Welsh. For all advertising and other non-editorial uses contact the GIW office for further information. Ferris, then 28, was found not guilty in June 1992 at the High Court in Glasgow after the longest-running murder trial in Scottish legal history. BROOKS John to Elizabeth (McInally) on 19th June 1971, in the parish of the Immaculate Heart of. So if you think you have a rare coin, here is what you need to know before selling. Thompson died at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 13 March 1993 from a heart attack at the age of 61. Both men were bitter rivals of Thompson. [9] He was acquitted of all charges. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. [8] Billy died on 4 March 2017 as a result of his drug addiction. Thompson was supported loyally in his criminal enterprises by his wife the diminutive Rita who bore him four children. According to underworld sources, Billy Thompson, who has served a number of prison sentences and has a heroin habit, wanted to regain the former prominence of the Thompson name, despite the fact that he has not inherited any of his father's business acumen. On one occasion, the then BBC broadcaster accompanied Thompson to an underworld pub in London. Glasgow crime stories: Arthur Thompson who ruled the city's underworld for more than 30 years. Another measure of his influence came after his son Arthur Thompson Jr was jailed for 11 years in 1985 for drug dealing. No one man had dominated organised crime in the city quite like Arthur Thompson and no one man ever would. The gang boss was out for blood, and he suspected two members of the rival Welsh gang, Patrick Welsh, and James Goldie, of the attack. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Uncover Rita's photos, videos, and more . He started young around the Garscube Road. Born in September 1931[1] in the industrial area of Springburn, Glasgow,[2] Arthur Thompson began his career as a money lender, and was said to crucify those who did not repay their debts, by nailing them to floors or doors. The violence was on a much, much higher level. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. Glasgow's gangsters, Arthur Thompson - the Godfather, Glasgow bakery Mortons Rolls 'ceases all trading' in 'hammer blow' to city. The grim find was made by the pubs manager who was passing at the time on his way to open up. Around 10pm, on August 17, Arthur left his parents house to walk the short distance to his own home where he lived with his wife and young daughter. So the person in charge would have to have been something very special, and Arthur was certainly that.. Even when his own son was murdered outside his own front door, he ordered his family not to give them statements. He then walked the few yards from one court to another to give evidence in the Welshes murder trial. 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. His criminal career, however, was not quite over and his last brush with it, ironically, involved drugs. By the 1980s, Glasgow was in the midst of a heroin epidemic as the drug flooded into the city in a market worth up to 30 million. As his power and wealth grew, so did his influence. He is known to have blown up a pub and social club after one owner refused to comply. He had been responsible for negotiating between dealers in the North and the rest of England. 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. One of his main sources of income over the years was providing protection to pubs in the city. Single Use in context. We are lucky at The Herald. Get the latest crime news direct to your inbox with the Glasgow Crime and Courts newsletter. 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. Glasgows criminal underbelly was laid bare during three months of evidence and its hard-won City of Culture status took a battering. In later life he even adopted some of the late US mobster's sartorial taste in pinstripes. Friendly with the likes of 'Mad' Frankie Fraser and Billy Hill, he was a leading underworld figure north of the border. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Arthur was charged with their murders, but he was set free because no witnesses came forward to testify. contact the editor here. Prison chiefs were also under no illusions about the kind of man they were dealing with. Arthur survived, but his mother-in-law was killed.