A Dark City
Delve into the dark heart of Glasgow, a city with history steeped in mystery and violence. A Dark City takes you behind the headlines to explore the city's most notorious murders - stories that shocked the nation, shattered communities and left scars that still linger. From cold blooded killers to infamous gangland slayings, we uncover the chilling details, the victims stories and the impact on Glasgow's streets.
A Dark City
Arthur Thompson jr
The brutal murder of Arthur Thompson Jr in the summer of 1991 wasn't just another gangland killing—it was the moment Glasgow's criminal underworld erupted into unprecedented violence, forever changing the city's criminal landscape.
Fat Boy, as he was known, lived a life most couldn't imagine. Born into criminal royalty as the son and heir to Arthur Thompson Sr—Glasgow's undisputed godfather—he grew up in the fortified family compound nicknamed "The Ponderosa." While other Glasgow children played in the streets, young Arthur was being groomed to inherit a violent empire built on fear, extortion, and increasingly, the lucrative drug trade. After serving a prison sentence where his father's influence secured him luxuries unheard of for ordinary inmates, Arthur Jr returned to a gangland on the brink of war. On August 18th, 1991, bullets tore through the air outside the Ponderosa, ending his life and igniting a chain of bloody events that would captivate Scotland for decades.
The subsequent investigation led to Paul Ferris, once a trusted Thompson family enforcer who had fallen from favour. His trial became the longest and most expensive in Scottish legal history, resulting in a controversial "not proven" verdict that left justice hanging in the balance. The discovery of two of Ferris's associates dead in a car along Arthur Jr's funeral route—executed with shots to the head and anus in what became known as a "Glasgow Sendive"—demonstrated the brutal code of retribution governing this shadowy world. Against the backdrop of 1980s-90s Glasgow, with rampant unemployment and a surging drug epidemic, the Thompson murder opened a rare window into a criminal ecosystem where violence wasn't just business—it was the language everyone understood.
Join us as we untangle the complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and vengeance surrounding this infamous case. We'll explore how Arthur Thompson Sr built his fearsome reputation through extreme violence, examine the devastating impact of organized crime on Glasgow's communities, and investigate why, decades later, Arthur Jr's murder officially remains unsolved. Listen now to discover the real story behind the headlines that shocked a nation and the criminal code that continues to shroud this case in silence.
Welcome to A Dark City, the podcast that delves into the shadowy underbelly of Glasgow, a city with a storied past and a reputation for resilience. Here we uncover the chilling true stories of serious crimes that have left their mark on the city's history, from notorious gangland wars to unsolved mysteries. Join us as we explore the darker side of Glasgow and the people whose lives were forever changed by its crimes. The murder of Arthur Thompson Jr, son of Glasgow's infamous crime boss Arthur Thompson Sr, remains a highly controversial event in the city's criminal history. His death in August 1991 deeply shook the underworld and solidified the Thompson family's grim legacy. To understand its significance, we must explore Arthur Jr's background and the murky context of Glasgow's gangland. Arthur Thompson Jr, known as Fat Boy, was born into a life of crime. His father, arthur Thompson Sr, became the undisputed godfather of Glasgow's underworld, controlling vast criminal enterprises. Growing up in the shadow of such a powerful figure shaped Arthur Jr's life. While details are scarce, it's likely he had a privileged yet isolated upbringing, far removed from the typical experiences of Glasgow's working-class children. The family resided in a heavily fortified and ostentatious converted council house in Provan Mill, nicknamed the Ponderosa, a testament to their wealth and power. As he matured, arthur Jr became increasingly involved in his father's criminal empire. By the 1980s the Thompson organization had expanded into drug trafficking and Arthur Jr played a significant role in this lucrative but dangerous trade. In 1985, he was apprehended and sentenced to 11 years in prison for drug dealing. However, his father's influence ensured preferential treatment, with reports of him receiving steaks, alcohol and other luxuries in his cell. This incident highlighted the extent of the Thompson family's reach and Arthur Jr's involvement in serious criminal activity. Upon his release from prison, arthur Jr found himself back in the Glasgow underworld where rivalries and tensions simmered. One of the most significant was the strained relationship between the Thompson family and Paul Ferris. Ferris, a young and ambitious criminal, had risen through the ranks as an enforcer for Arthur Thompson Sr, known for his extreme violence and ruthlessness. Initially considered a son, a falling out led Ferris to align himself with rival factions.
Speaker 1:On August 18th 1991, arthur Thompson Jr was brutally murdered outside the Ponderosa in a hail of bullets. The murder shocked the city and sparked speculation about the perpetrator. Paul Ferris, with his history with the Thompsons and animosity towards them, became the prime suspect. Arrested and charged, ferris faced one of the longest and most expensive criminal trials in Scottish history. However, the 1992 trial resulted in a not-proven verdict and Ferris walked free. The prosecution's case was weakened by unreliable witnesses and conflicting testimonies. Ferris claimed that Arthur Jr had been killed by a hitman known as the Apprentice.
Speaker 1:The aftermath of Arthur Thompson Jr's murder was dramatic. On the day of his funeral, two of Paul Ferris' associates, bobby Glover and Joe Hanlon, were found dead in a car along the Cortege Route. They'd been shot in the head and anus, which came to be known as a Glasgow Sendive, a chilling symbol of underworld executions. Their murders were seen as retaliation for Arthur Jr's death, but no one was ever convicted. The murder of Arthur Thompson Jr remains unsolved. Paul Ferris was the primary suspect and stood trial but, as mentioned, he was acquitted. Other theories and whispers in the Glasgow underworld have circulated, but they lack concrete evidence. The identities of Glover and Hanlon's killers are also unknown, adding to the mystery. Although this episode is about the murder of Arthur Jr, we will take a closer look at his father, arthur Sr, to paint a picture of how he shaped the life and demise of his son. Being the son of probably the biggest gangster that's ever walked the streets of Glasgow would be enough on its own to be a target.
Speaker 1:The drug and gang warfare was an ever-evolving scene in Glasgow. The Glasgow of the late 1980s and early 1990s faced significant social and economic challenges that fuelled organised crime. Deindustrialisation led to high unemployment, especially in working-class areas, creating desperation and a lack of opportunity that some exploited through illegal activities. Drug trafficking, particularly heroin, surged during this era, causing immense harm to communities. Rival gangs fiercely competed for control of distribution networks, leading to violence and territorial disputes. Arthur Thompson Sr's organization was deeply involved in this trade, making it a central aspect of Glasgow's criminal scene. Firearms became increasingly prevalent in gangland conflicts, though not as common as in other major cities. Arthur Thompson Jr's murder with a firearm highlighted this aspect of the criminal landscape. Glasgow's long-standing reputation for gang violence, often territorial, persisted. While the sophisticated organised crime of the Thompson era was distinct from street gangs, the pervasive culture of violence and intimidation, reinforced through protection rackets, gave criminal organizations immense power.
Speaker 1:Thompson ruled through fear. He was known for his violent and ruthless nature. Beatings and slashings were common for those who defied him or failed to pay. He was reputed to have punished enemies by nailing their hands and feet to the floor. By the 1980s his family, led by Arthur Jr, became involved in the drug trade.
Speaker 1:Thompson's name alone was enough to instill fear. He was considered the top figure in Glasgow's criminal underworld for many years he even had connections with the notorious Cray twins in London. He dealt with rivals swiftly and brutally. In one instance, after surviving a car bombing that killed his mother-in-law, he allegedly ran the suspected perpetrators off the road, resulting in their deaths. Despite being charged, he was not prosecuted due to a lack of witnesses willing to testify. By the 1990s, it was rumoured he was earning a substantial amount weekly from loan sharking. Witnesses were often too terrified to testify against him, contributing to his ability to operate with seeming impunity. In essence, arthur Thompson Sr established and maintained his control over Glasgow's criminal activities through a combination of violence, intimidation, strategic investment in businesses and a reputation that discouraged anyone from crossing him. Police investigations faced challenges, including witness intimidation, particularly in cases involving powerful figures like the Thompsons, making it difficult to secure convictions. The not-proven verdict in Paul Ferris's trial for Arthur Jr's murder exemplified these difficulties.
Speaker 1:Specific locations in Glasgow became synonymous with criminal activity. The East End, where the Thompsons were based, was a hub of their operations. Pubs and social clubs served as meeting places and sometimes sites of violence. The Thompson family's power and isolation were evident in the fortifications of the Ponderosa. Arthur Thompson Sr's reign was challenged by several individuals and groups.
Speaker 1:The Welsh family, based in Blackhill, glasgow. The Welsh family, were long-standing rivals of the Thompsons. Their feud, dating back to at least the 1960s, was marked by extreme violence. In 1966, arthur Thompson Sr believed the Welsh family were responsible for a bomb attack that killed his mother-in-law. He subsequently killed Patrick Welsh and James Goldie, whom he suspected of the bombing.
Speaker 1:Paul Ferris. Initially an enforcer for Arthur Thompson Sr, ferris fell out with the family. This split created a dangerous enemy and he became a prime suspect in Arthur Thompson Jr's murder. While acquitted, the animosity between Ferris and the Thompsons remained, posing a significant threat to their authority. As the drug trade expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, other criminal groups sought to gain a foothold in the lucrative market, leading to constant power struggles with the established Thompson organisation. Tam McGraw, a significant figure in the Glasgow underworld, was also in competition with the Thompsons for control and influence. While the Thompsons operated at a higher level of organized crime, their influence extended into local territories controlled by street gangs, leading to conflicts over drug distribution and other criminal enterprises. The murder of Arthur Thompson Jr was a tragic consequence of this violent and competitive criminal underworld, where disputes were often settled with extreme violence and the list of potential rivals who might have wanted Arthur Jr dead was extensive.
Speaker 1:The official silence and lack of convictions in many gangland killings underscore the climate of fear and the challenges faced by the police in tackling these powerful criminal organizations. Key aspects of the trial included the accused. Paul Ferris, a former enforcer for the Thompson family who had fallen out with them, was accused of shooting Arthur Thompson Jr outside his heavily fortified home, the Ponderosa. Ferris vehemently denied the charges. The prosecution's case.
Speaker 1:The prosecution aimed to establish that Ferris had the motive and opportunity to commit the murder. They presented circumstantial evidence suggesting Ferris held a grudge against the Thompsons and that his presence in the vicinity around the time of the shooting implicated him. However, securing reliable eyewitness testimony proved difficult due to fear and intimidation prevalent in organized crime cases. Ferris's defense team, led by Donald Findlay QC, argued that the prosecution's case was weak and lacked concrete proof. Ferris claimed that Arthur Jr was killed by a hitman known as the Apprentice, shifting blame away from himself. His team scrutinised the prosecution's evidence, highlighting inconsistencies and casting doubt on key witnesses' credibility. Arthur Thompson Sr, the victim's father and a key witness for the prosecution, maintained a stoic and evasive demeanour in court. While acknowledging the falling out with Ferris. His evidence didn't directly implicate him. His presence cast a shadow over the proceedings. The trial featured controversial testimony from super grasses informants who turned Crown's evidence for immunity or reduced sentences. Their credibility was scrutinised due to their criminal histories and potential motivations.
Speaker 1:The trial took place under intense security, reflecting the dangerous nature of the case and the individuals involved. The courtroom was packed with journalists and the public captivated by the unfolding drama and the glimpse into Glasgow's secretive underworld. After lengthy deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of not proven on all charges against Paul Ferris. This unique Scots verdict signifies that the jury wasn't verdict of not proven on all charges against Paul Ferris. This unique Scots verdict signifies that the jury wasn't convinced of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but they also didn't believe him to be innocent. The acquittal of Paul Ferris sent shockwaves through Glasgow. His release sparked a media frenzy and the unsolved murder of Arthur Jr fuelled speculation and conspiracy theories. Ferris's associates' deaths on Arthur Jr's funeral day suggested retribution, though no one was convicted. The trial exposed Glasgow's criminal underworld, the challenges the police face in such cases and the complexities of the Scottish legal system. The not-proven verdict left questions unanswered and the murder remains unsolved.
Speaker 1:The trial of Paul Ferris for the murder of Arthur Thompson Jr in 1992 was a landmark event in Scottish legal history. It was the longest and most expensive criminal trial in Scotland at the time, lasting 54 days and costing an estimated £4 million. Over 300 witnesses gave evidence providing a vivid but often contradictory picture of Glasgow's violent underworld. While Ferris was the primary suspect, the lack of a conviction and the murky nature of Glasgow's underworld suggest other potential individuals or groups involved other rival gangs. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, glasgow's underworld was a complex web of competing factions vying for control of lucrative criminal enterprises, particularly the drug trade. While the Thompson organisation was dominant, other ambitious gangs would have clashed with them. A rival group might have seen Arthur Thompson Jr's murder as a way to weaken the Thompson family's grip.
Speaker 1:Identifying specific gangs beyond the established Welsh family is difficult due to their secrecy. Internal power struggles and betrayals within the Thompson organisation could have led to Arthur Jr's murder. Disagreements over territory, profits or personal animosities could have caused someone within the circle or a close associate to take drastic action. Arthur Thompson Jr's involvement in criminal activities, including drug dealing would have created enemies outside of organised crime circles. Individuals who felt wronged by him or his actions might have sought revenge, ranging from disgruntled associates to individuals or families affected by the drug trade he was involved in. The lack of concrete evidence, the pervasive climate of fear and intimidation within Glasgow's underworld and the not-proven verdict in Paul Ferris's trial all suggest that other potential suspects may have been involved in the murder of Arthur Thompson Jr. The violent landscape of Glasgow's gangland, the Thompson family's numerous rivals and the possibility of internal conflicts or personal vendettas all point to the involvement of others. However, without further evidence, these remain theories in a case shrouded in the secrets of the criminal underworld.
Speaker 1:The concept of retribution is central to the narrative surrounding the murder of Arthur Thompson Jr and its aftermath, particularly within the context of Glasgow's criminal underworld. It speaks to the ingrained code of conduct where perceived wrongs, especially acts of violence or disrespect, demand a forceful and often brutal response. In this specific case, the murder of Arthur Thompson Jr, the son of a powerful and feared figure, was almost certain to trigger a desire for retribution from the Thompson family and their associates. This expectation of retaliation permeated the atmosphere in Glasgow following the shooting, the murders of Bobby Glover and Joe Hanlon, close associates of the prime suspect Paul Ferris, on the day of Arthur Thompson Jr's funeral were widely interpreted as a direct act of revenge. The brutal nature of their deaths, including symbolic gunshot wounds, reinforced this interpretation. While no one was ever convicted, the timing and circumstances suggest a retaliatory act. Arthur Thompson Sr's reputation for ruthlessness and extreme violence deterred attacks on his son, implying that any attack would be punished. This expectation of retribution created fear and suspicion. Other, less public actions by the Thompson family or their allies may have occurred.
Speaker 1:Retribution often fuels a cycle of violence, sparking further retaliatory actions from Ferris' associates or other involved parties. This cycle contributes to the volatile and dangerous environment of the criminal underworld. Retribution was a significant force in the aftermath of Arthur Thompson Jr's murder. Criminal organisations in the underworld, lacking formal legal structures, rely on a code of conduct enforced through reputation and violence. Retribution demonstrates that transgressions against the family will be met with severe consequences, maintaining internal order. It also serves as a display of power, swiftly responding to attacks to show dominance and deter future challenges.
Speaker 1:Beyond strategy, the desire for retribution is a deeply human emotional response to loss, especially in violent circumstances. The suspected revenge killings of Glover and Hanlon exemplify this principle, shaping the case narrative and contributing to the fear and violence in Glasgow's criminal underworld. It highlights the brutal nature of these organisations, where justice often seeks outside the law. In conclusion, arthur Thompson Jr's murder was a pivotal moment in Glasgow's criminal history. His life, from his upbringing in a powerful gangster's shadow to his involvement in drug trafficking, was shaped by the city's brutal underworld. Ferris's acquittal and the subsequent murders of his associates highlighted the ruthless nature of Glasgow's gangland feuds. The case remains a stark reminder of the violence and impunity that characterised that era and continues to fascinate and disturb. Thank you.