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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.

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Discover the haunting Glasgow chapter of Fred West's life before he became Britain's most notorious serial killer. This gripping episode delves into West's formative years in Scotland during the early 1960s, revealing disturbing patterns of behaviour that would evolve into the horror of Cromwell Street.

Few realize that before the discovery of the "House of Horrors" in Gloucester, Fred West had established his predatory nature on the streets of Glasgow. Working as an ice cream van driver in Coatbridge and Glasgow, West had unrestricted access to vulnerable young people—a seemingly ordinary job that masked his developing criminal tendencies. We explore how West's marriage to Catherine "Rena" Costello during this period was marked by volatility, and how Anne McFall, who worked as their children's nanny, became one of his earliest victims.

The episode traces West's departure from Scotland—reportedly after being "run out of town" by concerned locals—and his subsequent descent into unfathomable horror alongside his second wife, Rosemary. We detail the investigation that finally uncovered their crimes, resulting in the discovery of twelve victims, Fred's suicide before trial, and Rose's conviction for ten murders. Could there be more undiscovered victims from West's Glasgow days? We examine recent investigations and speculation about his Scottish allotment, raising questions about what might have happened if early warning signs hadn't been ignored.

The Fred West story serves as a chilling reminder of how monsters can walk among us undetected. Listen to understand how Glasgow played a crucial role in the development of one of history's most disturbing criminals, and why this overlooked chapter matters in understanding the full horror of the West case.

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The brutal murder of Karen Buckley shattered Glasgow's sense of safety in April 2015. A vibrant 24-year-old nursing student with dreams of becoming an occupational therapist, Karen's life ended after a chance encounter with Alexander Pacteau outside The Sanctuary nightclub. What appeared to be an offer of a lift home turned into a nightmare that has haunted Scotland ever since.

Karen's background makes her fate all the more heart-wrenching. Born in Cork, Ireland to a close-knit family, she embodied kindness and determination. After graduating with a nursing degree from the University of Limerick, her adventurous spirit led her to Scotland to further her studies. Meanwhile, her killer had been showing troubling signs since childhood, earning the nickname "Trouble" and facing previous assault allegations.

The investigation reveals a chilling picture of premeditated violence and calculated cover-up attempts. After beating Karen with a spanner and strangling her, Pacteau embarked on an elaborate scheme to destroy evidence—purchasing caustic soda from multiple locations, meticulously cleaning his car, burning bloodstained items, and ultimately concealing Karen's body in a barrel at High Craigton Farm. His three different stories to police quickly unraveled as CCTV footage and forensic evidence painted a damning picture of guilt.

Judge Lady Rita Rae's sentencing remarks cut to the heart of the case: for "some unknown, inexplicable reason," Pacteau had "destroyed her life in minutes." The detective leading the investigation believed Pacteau had set out that night with "a premeditated plan to find some victim"—a terrifying thought that underscores the random nature of Karen's selection. Though sentenced to life with a minimum of 23 years, nothing can erase the pain felt by Karen's family, who hope her killer will be "haunted by what he did" for the rest of his life.

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