Paul Ferris, a former gangster, is preparing for the release of a new film, but who exactly is he and what role did he play in Glasgow’s criminal underworld? At 61 years old, Ferris is making plans for his second film, following the success of the 2013 film “The Wee Man,” featuring Martin Compston. The first film delved into Ferris’s upbringing and how he became involved in organised crime. The upcoming film will focus on his arrest following an investigation by MI5, Strathclyde Police, and Scotland Yard.
Growing up near the home of notorious crime boss Arthur Thompson, Ferris initially held a legitimate job as a van boy before being lured into criminal activities. By the age of 19, he became a trusted enforcer for Thompson, earning a reputation as one of Scotland’s most feared individuals. Ferris was implicated in various criminal incidents, including the shooting of John Hogg in 1984, where he was accused of being the triggerman.
The rift between Ferris and Thompson escalated in the 1980s, with Ferris alleging that he was set up in a drugs bust on the Isle of Bute. This conflict resulted in the fatal shooting of Arthur Thompson Junior in 1991, followed by the murders of two of Ferris’s associates, Bobby Glover and Joe “Bananas” Hanlon. Ferris was charged with Thompson Junior’s murder but was ultimately acquitted in 1992.
Labelled as ‘Houdini’ by Scottish law enforcement for evading charges in various cases, Ferris was eventually caught involved in gun smuggling in the late ’90s. Operation Abonar, a collaborative effort between MI5, Strathclyde Police, Scotland Yard, and SERCS, uncovered Ferris smuggling weapons to Glasgow in 1997. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, which was later reduced to seven years on appeal.
During his incarceration, Ferris committed to reforming his ways and began writing about his criminal past. Since his release in 2002, he has authored several books and made appearances on podcasts. Presently residing in Ayrshire, Ferris continues to reflect on his past experiences and the consequences of his criminal activities.
In conclusion, Paul Ferris’s tumultuous journey from a trusted enforcer for a crime lord to a convicted gun smuggler reflects the complexities of Scotland’s criminal underworld and the personal struggles faced by individuals entangled in a life of crime. His narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of criminal involvement and the potential for redemption and personal growth, even after a history plagued with violence and illegal activities.