inaccuracy or intrusion, then please 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. He was also cleared of attempting to murder Arthur Thompson Snr by repeatedly driving a car at him and threatening to murder another man William Gillen by shooting him in the leg. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. Both bodies are thought to have been stored at business premises not far from the Cottage Bar overnight, then driven to Darleith Street around mid-morning. 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. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. [6] Thompson was charged with murder but not prosecuted as the police could find no witnesses who would testify. [11][12][13], Thompson died at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 13 March 1993 from a heart attack at the age of 61. United Kingdom, {"event":"pageview","page_type1":"catalog","page_type2":"image_page","language":"en","user_logged":"false","user_type":"ecommerce","nl_subscriber":"false"}, {"event":"ecommerce_event","event_name":"view_item","event_category":"browse_catalog","ecommerce":{"items":[{"item_id":"MPX5165602","item_brand":"other","item_category":"photo","item_category2":"no_copyright","item_category3":"standard","item_category5":"not_balown","item_list_name":"search_results","item_name":"glasgow_gangster_arthur_thompson_with_his_wife_rita_thompson_c_1970_b_w_photo","item_variant":"undefined"}]}}. Its rumoured Thompson was present when Ronnie infamously shot George Cornell of the rival Richardson gang in Londons Blind Beggar pub in 1966. 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. Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. His coffin was carried by members of a biker club, his six daughters and a granddaughter all wore matching red outfits and music from the Clash blared out as the retinue made its way into the crematorium. 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. HE was Glasgows equivalent of Don Corleone, the fictional New York crime godfather immortalised in his portrayal by Marlon Brando. Another underworld figure vying for control is a 65-year-old Scot, Billy Blackledge, who has been on the run from the FBI for 10 years for his involvement in a 10 million drugs deal involving Hell's Angels from Canada. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? 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. Facebook gives people the power to. Editors' Code of Practice. In his 2009 autobiography, legendary Scottish football commentator Archie Macpherson revealed he was paid up to 500 a time in the early 1980s to host events organised by Thompson. 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. Readers comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. mg.co.za. In 1988 Arthur was shot in the groin outside The Ponderosa. He was buried in the family plot at Riddrie Cemetery beside Arthur Jnr and daughter, Margaret, who suffered a drugs overdose in 1989. Glasgow comedian pokes fun at 'West End Mums' in hilarious Pet Shop Boys parody, Hilarious TikToker Zara has created a fantastic parody of Pet Shop Boys 80s classic 'West End Girls' taking aim at mums living in the west end of the city 'because being south's an anxiety trigger. His rivals tried and failed to eliminate him in 1966 when a bomb exploded under his car. HP10 9TY. 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. The gang is sometimes referred to as the Kenyan version of the Yakuza, Mafia or Cosa Nostra due to its organization. Police stopped a 38-year-old man on the A82 near Renton today for driving a vehicle which was in a state of disrepair. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. [8] Billy died on 4 March 2017 as a result of his drug addiction. His grandchildren and great grandchildren have to remain anonymous for the safety of the family. Richard Thompson, live Glasgow Scotland October 1999, recorded by me from Digital broadcast. The continent of Africa is plagued by an infestation of machete wielding gangs, and the Mungiki originated in much the same way as most of these outfits. McPherson wrote: It was straight out of a Guy Ritchie movie and was full of cockney hardmen. [9] He was acquitted of all charges. Rita Thompson, 72, who had throat cancer, died on Tuesday. In a bravura performance from the witness box, he denied he was Glasgows Godfather and criticised the police. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. The myth has him dedicating himself to a life of crime after watching the movie Dillinger in a local fleapit. 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. He had been a regular visitor to Northern Ireland. He graduated to forming protection rackets and like some other gangsters of the era, Arthur wisely invested his money in legitimate businesses and became an exceptionally wealthy man. Search by name or location to find online obituaries. Fraser, now dead, once recalled: Down south, we viewed Glasgow as the Wild West. A Gannett Company. MS-13 worked with Mexican drug cartels regularly and is becoming ever more active in the United States. The gunman, an IRA hitman, had been hired by a rival to kill him. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union has urged members to accept the offer. Father Neil McGarrity has been placed on the sex offenders register after being found guilty of four sexual assaults and one charge of engaging in sexual activity. Editors' Code of Practice. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. He was a very violent, ruthless, clever criminal and a real nasty piece of work. Arthur also enjoyed hobnobbing with celebrities. He avoided service in the war well he would, wouldn't he? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. We found 2 records matching "Rita Thompson" in KY. * Historical, vital, and court records and search results may require an additional purchase. In June, it began a reign of terror against matatu drivers and conductors while also targeting people who defected from the gang. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. His bullet-ridden body was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but he died a few hours later. Something went wrong, please try again later. His daughter Rita, who had married one of the Blue Angels bikers (like Hell's Angels, only dirtier! A Gannett Company. 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. Kenyas security forces had to act and stormed into the Mathare region. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. As a result the takeover never took place. Kathy Friend, 60, lost her battle with secondary liver and bone cancer on February 19 but she is remembered for touching the lives of many with her amazing community projects. 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. Joe, now 80, said: As far as I was concerned what my brother and I saw that night was murder. 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. It was the end of an astonishing era. 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. Another police file from 1969 said: "Thompson is one of the leading criminal lights in Glasgow with connections in London.". Arthur was charged with their murders, but he was set free because no witnesses came forward to testify. 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. [8] [7] Other children [ edit] Thompson's daughter, Margaret, died from a drug overdose in 1989. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. By 1966, Arthur Thompson was all-powerful in Glasgow. 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. 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. At one time, he had at least 20 pubs in Glasgow paying him 4000 each week. However, despite the murder of his son, the Godfather wasn't quite finished yet. Lanarkshire mum loses scan picture of dead babies after 'heartless' council evict her. Thompson received a not proven verdict, despite the eyewitness accounts of Joe and his brother. He had been responsible for negotiating between dealers in the North and the rest of England. Failure to pay him what you owed resulted in a painful punishment. contact the editor here. 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. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Isgho Votre ducation notre priorit . The grim find was made by the pubs manager who was passing at the time on his way to open up. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Along with rivals Barrio 18, they have ensured that El Salvador is the worlds murder capital. [11] Ferris claimed the younger Thompson had been shot by a hit man known only as "The Apprentice". 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. It was clear to everyone in the citys underworld what type of message was being sent out with the double murder. Bankrobber, that was the song, and that was old Wattie's business. In dramatic scenes, Thompson and the Welshes both stood trial at the same time at the High Court in Glasgow. Others probably organised the double execution as a favour to him and out of respect. Arthur Snr suspected both men of being involved in his sons murder and is said to have paid a hitman 20,000 to execute them. He was friendly with another legendary London gangster too Mad Frankie Fraser. 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 in turn was accused of the culpable homicide of Goldie and Welsh. Nothing befitted his life like the leaving of it. Arthurs influence began to wane while his son was in prison and other gangs saw the chance of rich pickings. He was born in 1928 in Possil, three years before Old Arthur Thompson, a Godfather contemporary, but one whose criminal path diverged into drugs, whereas Norval preferred to do it the old fashioned way, with a mask and a gun in an armed robbery, never mind the occasional stabbing. We identified 2 records related to "Rita Thompson" in the state of Kentucky. [5] His other son, Billy, was stabbed and seriously wounded 400 yards (350 metres) from the family home [8] in 2000, but survived. It was also rumoured that Thompson was involved in the 1963 Great Train robbery when 2.6 million (equivalent to around 30m now) was stolen from the Glasgow to London mail train. She had lived in the same house in Provanmill since Mr Thompson died of a heart attack in 1993. As a consequence, many of the young men that arrived gravitated towards violence. A sniper waited for him after he had been chased through Glasgow by another hitman. One of his main sources of income over the years was providing protection to pubs in the city. Veterinary hospital McDonald Vets, in Scotstoun in the west of Glasgow, has resumed a full service after closing for several months following the blaze in August 2022. Rita M. Glasgow Obituary. 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. A month later Norval sought Gibson out in a pub and stabbed him eight times before going on the run. He was Glasgows equivalent of Don Corleone, the fictional New York crime boss immortalised by Marlon Brando in the classic Oscar-winning Godfather movie. 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. Arthur Thompson was one of 300 people called to give evidence. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Rita Thompson, 72, who had throat cancer, died on Tuesday. 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. gemini and scorpio parents gabi wilson net worth 2021. rita thompson glasgow. View the profiles of people named Rita. Norval's trial has a fiery hanselling. Results for Rita have been distilled from over 6 billion consumer records found online and offline. Two weeks later Joe learned of Thompsons plans to blow up both his and Johns homes in Glasgow. "There is a real danger of him putting the screw on some of the locals in Aberdeen.". It was just a way for the terrified owner to pay protection to Thompson. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. Tributes have been paid to Rita Rusk, once dubbed Scotland's first lady of hairdressing, after her death at the age of 75. As a result the takeover never took place. The violence was on a much, much higher level. To survive, they formed their own group and called themselves Mara (Central American term for Gang) Salvatrucha (Salva comes from El Salvador, and Trucha means clever). Perhaps a more fitting coda from the band might have been, I fought the law and the law won. Glasgow gangster Arthur Thompson, known as The Godfather, pictured with his wife Rita Thompson.Circa 1970. The name sticks because in 1977 its members are involved in four different trials and to avoid cross-contamination the principals are given anonymous idents, Mr X, Mr Y, and so on. The trial has to be delayed. This 936 square foot home is the last known address for Rita. 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. By now, his son Arthur Jr., also known as Fatboy, was in charge of the gang as Arthur Sr. took a backseat. Pensioner dies at Glasgow hospital a month after fatal city centre crash. He was friendly with another legendary London gangster too Mad Frankie Fraser. A few days after the double murder, armed police raided his Ponderosa home looking for evidence but nothing was found. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. View Rita Thompson results in Georgia (GA) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. Ironically Ferris was a former friend and ally of the Thompson family, said to be closer to the father than even his own son. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. He was jailed three years ago for carrying a knife and, a week after his release, was jailed again for carrying a harpoon gun. She received three years in prison for the attack. He accused Paul Ferris, a former enforcer for the gang, of trying to kill him in 1988. Rangers vs Kilmarnock starting team news as Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin in but no Malik Tillman. She had lived in the same house in Provanmill since Mr. Get the latest crime news direct to your inbox with the Glasgow Crime and Courts newsletter. Nadiya Tkachenko compitiendo en la prueba de lanzamiento de peso en el pentatln olmpico de 1980, donde gan la medalla de oro. The first bullet grazed his cheek, the second smashed into his ribs, a lung, the third, tore through his gut and pierced his heart. His team, the Barlanark Gang, initially continued paying him a cut, but the two sides quickly fell out as the Gang found new paymasters. Ferris trial was the longest and most expensive in Scottish history up to that point, but he was acquitted. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. 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. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. 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. One police file said: The overall picture of Thompson is that of aviolent, 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.. 17-19 Garway Road
Their desire is to ensure their nation reverts to indigenous African traditions. The authority's suspicions of Thompson were not unjustified. When it comes to selling coins, there is a lot to consider and if you aren't too sure about what collectors are after, selling it can be quite tricky. View Anniversary. It was now all about drugs and there Wattie drew the line. Nine months later Thompson died in his bed from a heart attack. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Further violence involving the Mungiki took place after the disputed Kenyan General Election in December 2007. 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. [7], A former enforcer for the Thompson family, Paul Ferris, was arrested, charged with the murder[9] and remanded to HM Prison Barlinnie. Pentatln femenino. One detective on the case said: 'He had been a dead man walking for years. By 1966, Arthur Thompson was all-powerful in Glasgow. He died from a heart attack in 1993 aged 61. But nowadays, the people who call themselves gangsters don't do any hard work themselves. View Rita Thomson results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Three years later, a car mounted the pavement outside his home and ran him over. In 1966 he escaped death when a bomb exploded in his MG sports car, but his mother-in-law, in the passenger seat, was killed. Old Arthur testified against Ferris thus breaking the gangster code of silence. His other son, Billy died in 2017 as a result of his drug addiction. Rita Thompson, who had throat cancer, died in 2006 at the age of 72. Once, when giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow he even joked about speaking with cotton wool in his mouth a technique Brando used in the iconic movie to sound like an Italian mobster. [14], Thompson is survived by Tracey Thompson, his last remaining child. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. Thompson is survived by Tracey Thompson, his last remaining child. He booked himself into a private clinic and told the police the injury had been caused by a drill bit which broke off. In 1969 she was jailed for three years for stabbing a female member of the rival Welsh family in her home and even wrote letters to the Parole Board on Thompsons behalf while inside. Thompson suspected both men of being involved in his sons murder and is said to have paid a hitman 20,000 to execute them. Although Thompson wasnt a tall man, he was powerfully built with a chilling stare that could terrify both friend and foe alike. 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. Souhila and her husband were almost ready to open Adam Supermarket before the Napiershall Lane business was hit with a devastating inferno on Wednesday night. Honey Boo Boo star Alana Thompson's boyfriend Dralin . The jailing of Fat Boy brought challenges from gangs hoping to take over the Thompson empire. Beatings and slashings were routinely inflicted on anyone who failed to pay up. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Glasgow's gangsters - Arthur Thompson, the Godfather, Killings of Patrick Welsh and James Goldie, "Fears gangland enforcer Ferris moving in on Capital cab trade", http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/861134.stm, https://web.archive.org/web/20051227034428/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/s2.cfm?id=474552002, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arthur_Thompson_(gangster)&oldid=1115792863, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 October 2022, at 06:54. He was a very violent, ruthless, clever criminal and a real nasty piece of work. During his trips to London hed become friends with one of the ring leaders, Buster Edwards, who would later attend the funeral of Arthurs murdered son, Arthur Jr. He died in his father's arms. Let's take a critical look at the truth about Walter Norval, rather than the sepia-tinted mythology. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. John and Elizabeth Brooks Published on18/06/2021. We are lucky at The Herald. As well as terrorizing people in the United States, MS-13 still has a heavy presence in El Salvador. Friends of Thompson say he was never the same after young Arthurs death. Body of missing man Matthew Cosgrove discovered by police in Lanarkshire. [7] Paul Ferris was charged with Arthur Thompson Jr's murder and tried in 1992 but was found not guilty and released. At the tender age of nineteen, he had become the crime bosss feared enforcer, collecting debts on his behalf. The iconic firm was formed back in 1965. When fellow gang member Ronnie Biggs was asked shortly before his death in 2013 if Arthur was involved in the robbery, Biggs replied cryptically: I might be dying but Im not a grass.. [8] He had been given two-and-a-half years, reduced on appeal to 18 months. In August 1991, Arthur Jnr, 31, was shot dead outside the Thompson family home while on weekend leave from prison. Fatboy was very different to his father. Join Facebook to connect with Rita Thompson and others you may know. The presence or absence of records for any individual is not a guarantee of any kind. Obituaries & obituary notices in Glasgow. He is said to run his empire from a luxury yacht. Another measure of his influence came after his son Arthur Thompson Jr was jailed for 11 years in 1985 for drug dealing. His former business associate, Frankie Fraser, said Mrs Thompson was a "lovely lady". She received three years in prison for the attack. Out of the darkness stepped a mystery man who opened fire before escaping in a stolen car with two other men. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. 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. His father and younger brother Billy alerted by the shots found him dying on the pavement. A leading prosecution witness, in prison at the time, is provided with a constant police escort and kept in solitary confinement. Some time afterwards he spotted them in their van. "His depravity is veneered with conformity and deadly quietness, and he is difficult to undermine when he is on the alert.