Former Glasgow gangland figure Paul Ferris dies at 62 after brief illness

Paul Ferris, a former Glasgow gangland personality turned author, died at the age of 62 after a brief illness at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. He first rose to prominence in 1992 when he was cleared of the killing of Arthur Thompson Sr.'s son, a trial that became the longest in Scottish criminal history. Six years later, a London court sentenced him for involvement in the sale of firearms and explosives, leading to a seven-year prison term.

During his incarceration he wrote The Ferris Conspiracy, launching a successful writing career that included three more true-crime books co-authored with Reg McKay. Ferris' criminal past and later literary work served as the basis for a cult film featuring Martin Compston.