Paul Ferris, former Glasgow gangland figure, dies aged 62

Paul Ferris, Glasgow gangster, emerges from the High Court in Glasgow after being cleared of murdering Arthur Thompson Jnr. | TSPL

placeholder image — Paul Ferris, Glasgow gangster, emerges from the High Court in Glasgow after being cleared of murdering Arthur Thompson Jnr. | TSPL

Former gangland figure who inspired cult film starring Martin Compston dies at the age of 62

Paul Ferris the former Glasgow gangland figure turned bestselling author, has died at the age of 62.

It is understood that Ferris died following a short illness on Tuesday evening at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Ferris emerged from Glasgow’s murky underworld in 1992 and into the public eye when he was cleared of the murdering the son of notorious Glasgow crime figure Arthur Thompson Snr, also named Arthur Thompson. The trial was the longest running in Scottish criminal history.

Paul Ferris and Martin Compston stand together on the roof of Glasgow hotel The Blythswood Hotel. | TSPL

Six years later he was jailed at the Old Bailey in London for his role in the selling of firearms and explosives. He would go on to serve seven years behind bars.

It was there that the ex-gangster wrote his first book, The Ferris Conspiracy. He would go onto write three more true-crime writing books with Reg McKay.

In 2013, The Ferris Conspiracy was turned into a film, titled the Wee Man, starring Martin Compston.