Glasgow's gangsters, Arthur Thompson - the Godfather, Glasgow bakery Mortons Rolls 'ceases all trading' in 'hammer blow' to city. Thompson lived with his family in Provanmill Road in Provanmill, Glasgow, in a garishly converted council house nicknamed The Ponderosa, after the 1960s cowboy TV series Bonanza. 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"}]}}. For Norval the past was not just a different country but one with a language and culture he did not understand. 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. [9] He was acquitted of all charges. His rivals tried and failed to eliminate him in 1966 when a bomb exploded under his car. 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. Pentatln femenino. 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. [6] Thompson was charged with murder but not prosecuted as the police could find no witnesses who would testify. At an identification parade, he refused to identify the IRA suspect. A Young Arthur Thompson. Thompson signed into a private clinic in the West End of Glasgow and told police the injury was caused by a broken drill bit. The eyewitnesses who did not speak up at the trial were not bad people, they were just terrified of Thompson and what he might do to them.. However, Rita never sang a note. 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). Failure to pay him what you owed resulted in a painful punishment. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM . But when I was with Thompson, I was safe and I could have had anything in the pub that I wanted that night.. As a consequence, many of the young men that arrived gravitated towards violence. It was just a way for the terrified owner to pay protection to Thompson. Beatings and slashings were routinely inflicted on anyone who failed to pay up. Lanarkshire mum loses scan picture of dead babies after 'heartless' council evict her. BROOKS John to Elizabeth (McInally) on 19th June 1971, in the parish of the Immaculate Heart of. As his power and wealth grew, so did his influence. Norval went down for 14 years. In 1969 Thompson's wife, Rita, forced her way into the Welsh home, stabbed Patrick Welsh's wife in the chest, and was jailed for three years. . On one occasion, the then BBC broadcaster accompanied Thompson to an underworld pub in London. 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. All rights reserved. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Visitation will be . When he was sent to Inverness after one escapade, a 21-inch metal cosh was found inside his pillow. You can make a complaint by using the report this post link . Arthur also enjoyed hobnobbing with celebrities. The Mungiki sect emerged from Kenyas biggest ethnic group; known as the Kikuyu. A few days after the double murder, armed police raided his Ponderosa home looking for evidence but nothing was found. She revealed her dying wish when she was told she was losing her battle with throat cancer, according to a former henchman of her late husband. It was rumoured to be fitted out with secret passages, hiding spots, and its own underground tunnel. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Thompson is survived by Tracey Thompson, his last remaining child. Glasgow shop sign blunder warns customers against 'consummation of food and drink'. After a few years of relatively low-key activity, the gang escalated its violent activity in 2007. By the Eighties, the Thompson clan had moved into. 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. In later life he even adopted some of the late US mobster's sartorial taste in pinstripes. Previously, Rita was a Perioperative Nursing Development Professional & Specialist at Huntington Hospital and also held positions at St. Mary's Medical Center, St. Mary's Medical Center, Desert Cities Dialysis There was to be further drama that day as there was also a bomb scare at the cemetery where Thompson Jr was due to be buried. Ironically Ferriss incarceration by the authorities saved his life. At the time his parents lived in Provanmill Road, Blackhill, in a garishly converted former council house nicknamed The Ponderosa, after the 1960s cowboy TV series Bonanza. We found 1021 people named Rita S Thompson. Nadiya Tkachenko compitiendo en la prueba de lanzamiento de peso en el pentatln olmpico de 1980, donde gan la medalla de oro. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. View Jessie Kay Thompson results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Other papers record Thompson trying to stir up a hunger strike and pressing inmates to petition for better privileges and visiting rights. 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. Arthur survived the bomb attack but his mother-in-law Margaret Johnstone was killed outright. In spite of this, he is scalded with boiling water. If located in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Eire, kindly contact Mirrorpix directly at desk@mirrorpix.com. Rita Thompson, who had throat cancer, died in 2006 at the age of 72. All planned teacher strikes have been suspended after a new pay offer was presented by the Scottish Government. Joe, now 80, said: As far as I was concerned what my brother and I saw that night was murder. So if you think you have a rare coin, here is what you need to know before selling. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Friends of Thompson say he was never the same after young Arthurs death. As a result the takeover never took place. In the United States, MS-13 is making its deadly mark. 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. Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. 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.. New Glasgow west end venue The Wendy Bar opens its doors on Byres Road. View Rita Thomson results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Zoe Hagman and her daughter Ariana Catalano have opened Arredo on Shawlands' Kilmarnock Road to bring some flair to the street and also to the homes of local shoppers. As well as terrorizing people in the United States, MS-13 still has a heavy presence in El Salvador. Norval's daughter, Rita Gunn, is charged with conspiring to damage the court but acquitted. However, Thompson said the pairs reputation would damage the bands career. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. The subsequent police investigation centred on his former protege Paul Ferris and two friends and associates Joe Hanlon, who was nicknamed `Joe Bananas, and Bobby Glover. 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. He was buried in the family plot at Riddrie Cemetery beside Arthur Jnr and daughter, Margaret, who suffered a drugs overdose in 1989. On one occasion, the then BBC broadcaster accompanied Thompson to an underworld pub in London. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. GALENA, Ill. Rita M. Glasgow, 89, of Galena, died Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Galena Stauss Senior Care Community, Galena surrounded by her family. The authority's suspicions of Thompson were not unjustified. 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. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. He then walked the few yards from one court to another to give evidence in the Welshes murder trial. He accused Paul Ferris, a former enforcer for the gang, of trying to kill him in 1988. But that was all in the past for Ferris as he savoured his dramatic acquittal on the High Court steps before a cheering crowd. Police have run up against a wall of silence, but believe the murder is linked to drugs. 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. 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. In 1969 Thompson's wife, Rita, forced her way into the Welsh home, stabbed Patrick Welsh's wife in the chest, and was jailed for three years. Paparazzi photos of director Taika Waititi getting close to actress Tessa Thompson and singer Rita Ora went viral on social media over the weekend. Thompson received a not proven verdict, despite the eyewitness accounts of Joe and his brother. Arthur was charged with their murders, but he was set free because no witnesses came forward to testify. Thompson later gave a personal undertaking to the police that he would not harm the two officers. - but was later drafted for National Service, which he was determined to avoid, as he had much of school. Another measure of his influence came after his son Arthur Thompson Jr was jailed for 11 years in 1985 for drug dealing. Old Arthur testified against Ferris thus breaking the gangster code of silence. On the morning of young Arthur's funeral, a month after his murder, their bodies were discovered outside the Cottage Bar, in Shettleston, Glasgow. Arthur Jnr had enjoyed a celebratory dinner with his father and other family members at the popular Cafe India restaurant in Glasgows Charing Cross. [8] Rita Thompson - who left an estimated pounds 2million - told pals she wanted her will to pay for a gangland hit on former mobster Ferris, who was cleared of murdering her son Arthur jnr in 1992. Rita Thompson is a Nursing Development Professional & Perioperative Specialist at Stanford Health Care based in Palo Alto, California. The gunman, an IRA hitman, had been hired by a rival to kill him. Legend has it that the crime boss later viewed the bodies and shot both men in the chest with another gun. Urgent reappeal to find missing Glasgow man as disappearance 'very out of character'. Joe, now 80, said: As far as I was concerned what my brother and I saw that night was murder. His former business associate, Frankie Fraser, said Mrs Thompson was a "lovely lady". There were plans at one stage to move Thompson from cushier Aberdeen to the tougher regime of Barlinnie but Rita bizarrely objected on the grounds that her husband might "fall in with a bad crowd.". Anniversary. In 1989, Arthur's daughter, Margaret, died of a drugs overdose. It was clear to everyone in the citys underworld what type of message was being sent out with the double murder. Fort Fairfield - Rita Jean Thompson, 78, wife of the late Berkley A. Thompson, passed away Thursday evening, February 9, 2023, at Madigan Estates, Houlton, following an extended illness. Kenyans who live in the slums carrying the body of a suspected Mungiki member. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself. 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. contact the editor here. MS-13 worked with Mexican drug cartels regularly and is becoming ever more active in the United States. Both men were bitter rivals of Thompson. 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. While London had the Krays and the Richardsons to contend with in the 1960s, Glasgow had its own dominant group of street thugs in the form of The Thompson Gang. Find local and national death notices, funeral notices, obituaries, in memoriams, and acknowledgements at funeral-notices.co.uk, plus a directory of over 3,000 UK Funeral Directors Police have confirmed that the body of Matthew Cosgrove was discovered in the Lesmahagow area on Friday afternoon. 'No one is going to say anything about him or the rest of the family.'. Despite these issues, Arthur made a fortune from drugs and was also reportedly earning 100,000 a week as a loan shark. 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. As a result, they were given a police guard and their families moved to safety in another part of the city. Bridgeman Images Arthurs son Billy became a heroin addict, and his daughter Margaret died from a heroin overdose. 17-19 Garway Road It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Thompson was one of the most feared criminals in Scotland. Search by name or location to find online obituaries. In a bravura performance from the witness box, he denied he was Glasgows Godfather and criticised the police. Registered in England and Wales as company number 01056394. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. In his summing up Lord McCluskey, the trial judge, described the case an extraordinary catalogue of lies and deceit, cruelty and death. Thompsons name was enough to strike fear into anyone who crossed him. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Nine months later on March 13 1993, Thompson died from a heart attack at the age of 61. 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. Thompson was supported loyally in his criminal enterprises by his wife the diminutive Rita who bore him four children. Which was only partly true because he hurt many nobodies. "He didnt care if he had money in his pocket. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. The iconic firm was formed back in 1965. [11] Ferris claimed the younger Thompson had been shot by a hit man known only as "The Apprentice". Readers comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. The trial has to be delayed. As the school's most distinguished benefactors . So the person in charge would have to have been something very special, and Arthur was certainly that.. He was a very violent, ruthless, clever criminal and a real nasty piece of work. The violence was on a much, much higher level. Both had been dumped in the well of Hanlon's Ford Orion car parked in Darleith Street a few yards from it's entrance. Tony Thompson reports, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Death of another youth triggers protests in Kashmir. 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's now, as leader of what becomes known as the XYY Gang, that Norval becomes notorious. It's not known what Thompson's views were when Ferris was cleared of murdering his son. photos. Whoever did that was taking a big chance as Hanlon's Ford Orion was well known to the police and was regularly stopped. After several escapes from camp he was sentenced to 18 months hard labour for slashing another soldier with shards of glass. At an identification parade he refused to identify the IRA suspect. Thompson received a not proven verdict, despite the eyewitness accounts of Joe and his brother. Brothers Martin, George and Henry Welsh, 24, were charged with murdering Margaret and attempting to kill Arthur in the revenge attack. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. Thompson in turn was accused of the culpable homicide of Goldie and Welsh. Fraser, now dead, once recalled: Down south, we viewed Glasgow as the Wild West. Arthur Thompson, known as the Godfather in the city, formed the gang and began his career as a money lender in a council estate. Rita's husband, William Gunn, the biker, isn't so lucky, getting five years in jail for threatening to kill one of the leading witnesses. Others probably organised the double execution as a favour to him and out of respect. Glasgow priest found guilty of abusing four young girls walks free from court. Earlier this year, pitched battles broke out in Chinese restaurants between the Wo Sing Wo Triad and their rivals, the Tai Huen Chair or Big Circle Gang. It was now all about drugs and there Wattie drew the line. One retired publican said: To stop trouble all the landlord or bar manager in one of those pubs needed to say was, This is Arthur Thompsons place.. At one time, he had at least 20 pubs in Glasgow paying him 4000 each week. Rita Ora's Best Looks. 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. READ MORE:The Glasgow Crime Story of Eleni Pachou who was murdered in her work Di Maggio's. Glasgow shop owner 'in tears' after store weeks away from opening hit by devastating blaze. Thompson signed into a private clinic in the West End of Glasgow and told police the injury was caused by a broken drill bit. In August 1991, Arthur Jr, 31, was shot dead outside the family home while on weekend leave from prison. For McPhee, the end was always going to come like this.' London, W2 4PH Norval's daughter, Rita Gunn, is charged with conspiring to damage the court but acquitted. Join Facebook to connect with Rita and others you may know. 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. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. It was common for Arthur to crucify his victims by nailing their hands and feet to furniture. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes. Bankrobber, that was the song, and that was old Wattie's business. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? His own death almost 30 years ago marked the end of an astonishing era in the history of the city's underworld. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. View Rita Thompson results in Georgia (GA) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. THE widow of Arthur Thompson, the former Glasgow godfather, has died. But the damage to his family's already tattered reputation, not to mention the violent implications for Glasgow's underworld, look set to last for some time to come. His other son, Billy died in 2017 as a result of his drug addiction. The 37-year-old was found seriously injured on his doorstep on Tuesday. Arthur Thompson (September 1931 13 March 1993) was a Scottish gangster who was active in Glasgow from the 1950s and took charge of organised crime in the city for over thirty years. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. The judges in all four cases have to be constantly guarded by armed police. He was killed by a single shot from a high-powered .22 rifle. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The Ponderosa was also rumoured to be fitted out with secret passages, hiding spots, and its own underground tunnel. [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. By now, his son Arthur Jr., also known as Fatboy, was in charge of the gang as Arthur Sr. took a backseat. Many of the immigrants that arrived in the United States during the 1980s were used to violence as El Salvador is one of the worlds most dangerous places to live. Fatboy was very different to his father. You can make a complaint by using the report this post link . With 50 years experience providing images from the most prestigious museums, collections and artists. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Ferris only escaped a similar fate because he was on remand at Barlinnie Prison awaiting trial. [7] Paul Ferris was charged with Arthur Thompson Jr's murder and tried in 1992 but was found not guilty and released. His grandchildren and great grandchildren have to remain anonymous for the safety of the family.