Thomas McGraw
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tam" McGraw also known as "The Licensee" or "Wan-Baw McGraw", was a gangster involved in organised crime including extortion, narcotics and drug trafficking in Glasgow, Scotland.
One of the wealthiest businessmen in Glasgow
, he owned numerous businesses including security companies and taxi firms as well as properties throughout Scotland and Ireland
with an estimated worth of £10 million. His drug trafficking activities were worth an estimated £14 million .
s during his teenage years, he was eventually recruited into the small Bar-L team, based around the Barlanark
area of Glasgow and specializing in armed robbery.
He participated in the gang's post office raids throughout Scotland, eventually becoming one of the most wanted criminals in the country. He and the others managed to evade police for some time before eventual arrest in a failed robbery of a social club outside Glasgow, as he loaded several crates of alcohol into his van. McGraw had evaded police during a brief high speed chase before his vehicle overturned, but was arrested while trying to flee on foot. However, given the circumstance of his arrest, there was speculation that McGraw may have been a police informant for the Serious Crime Squad, supplying information on associates in exchange for police protection from his own illegal activities. Indeed, the charges were dropped and he was released the following morning after his arrest. Similarly, he was tried and acquitted for the attempted murder of a police officer in 1978.
, another rival Glasgow organized crime figure, claimed in his autobiography The Ferris Conspiracy that McGraw became involved in dealing heroin due to his connections to corrupt police officers, receiving confiscated drugs which he sold on the streets (resulting in numerous cases of overdoses).
He was also identified as a figure involved in the Glasgow Ice Cream Wars
in 1984, McGraw had planned to set light to the Doyle's home in Bankend St that night as an act of revenge against T.C Campbell.
In 2002, he was attacked by unidentified assailants less than a mile from his East End home and stabbed several times, suffering wounds to his arms, wrists and buttocks. Protected by a bulletproof vest, he had received only minor injuries.
During this time, with imported bodyguards from Ireland as well as surveillance by the Serious Crime Squad, McGraw was one of the most heavily protected criminals in the city. He later reportedly brokered a deal with Ferris, with whom he had been feuding for some time over allegations in the latter's first book. It was also reported the McGraw paid Paul Ferris 1.5 to 2 million pound to keep the peace and make sure Paul Ferris didn't take revenge on him. In the last few years after Ferris was freed from prison, McGraw was said to be spending more time in his villa abroad, with a few of his henchmen.
. Paramedics arrived at his home at about 1500 G M T on Monday, July 30, 2007 but were unable to resuscitate him. He was declared dead on arrival at Glasgow Royal Infirmary
.
One of the wealthiest businessmen in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, he owned numerous businesses including security companies and taxi firms as well as properties throughout Scotland and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
with an estimated worth of £10 million. His drug trafficking activities were worth an estimated £14 million .
Early life
Born in the East End of Glasgow, at an early age he became involved in criminal activity, including shoplifting and burglary during the early 1960s. Although in and out of approved schools and BorstalBorstal
A borstal was a type of youth prison in the United Kingdom, run by the Prison Service and intended to reform seriously delinquent young people. The word is sometimes used loosely to apply to other kinds of youth institution or reformatory, such as Approved Schools and Detention Centres. The court...
s during his teenage years, he was eventually recruited into the small Bar-L team, based around the Barlanark
Barlanark
Barlanark is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is east of the districts of Shettleston, Budhill and Springboig, north west of Baillieston, west of Swinton and Springhill and south of Easthall, Wellhouse and Easterhouse.-Name:The name Barlanark is an apparently hybrid Gaelic-Brythonic...
area of Glasgow and specializing in armed robbery.
He participated in the gang's post office raids throughout Scotland, eventually becoming one of the most wanted criminals in the country. He and the others managed to evade police for some time before eventual arrest in a failed robbery of a social club outside Glasgow, as he loaded several crates of alcohol into his van. McGraw had evaded police during a brief high speed chase before his vehicle overturned, but was arrested while trying to flee on foot. However, given the circumstance of his arrest, there was speculation that McGraw may have been a police informant for the Serious Crime Squad, supplying information on associates in exchange for police protection from his own illegal activities. Indeed, the charges were dropped and he was released the following morning after his arrest. Similarly, he was tried and acquitted for the attempted murder of a police officer in 1978.
Entry into organized crime
During the early 1980s, he began expanding his criminal operations becoming involved in narcotics such as heroin as he began purchasing nightclubs and pubs. Paul John FerrisPaul John Ferris
For other persons named Paul Ferris, see Paul Ferris .Paul John Feris is a Scottish businessman, author and former gangster...
, another rival Glasgow organized crime figure, claimed in his autobiography The Ferris Conspiracy that McGraw became involved in dealing heroin due to his connections to corrupt police officers, receiving confiscated drugs which he sold on the streets (resulting in numerous cases of overdoses).
He was also identified as a figure involved in the Glasgow Ice Cream Wars
Glasgow Ice Cream Wars
The Glasgow Ice Cream Wars were conflicts in the East End of Glasgow in Scotland in the 1980s between rival ice cream van operators, over lucrative territory and suggested use of ice cream vans as a cover for selling drugs...
in 1984, McGraw had planned to set light to the Doyle's home in Bankend St that night as an act of revenge against T.C Campbell.
Recent years
In 1998, he was arrested for drug smuggling. While several of his associates were convicted, McGraw was once again acquitted.In 2002, he was attacked by unidentified assailants less than a mile from his East End home and stabbed several times, suffering wounds to his arms, wrists and buttocks. Protected by a bulletproof vest, he had received only minor injuries.
During this time, with imported bodyguards from Ireland as well as surveillance by the Serious Crime Squad, McGraw was one of the most heavily protected criminals in the city. He later reportedly brokered a deal with Ferris, with whom he had been feuding for some time over allegations in the latter's first book. It was also reported the McGraw paid Paul Ferris 1.5 to 2 million pound to keep the peace and make sure Paul Ferris didn't take revenge on him. In the last few years after Ferris was freed from prison, McGraw was said to be spending more time in his villa abroad, with a few of his henchmen.
Death
Tam McGraw died of a suspected heart attack at his home in Mount Vernon, GlasgowMount Vernon, Glasgow
Mount Vernon is a residential area in the east end of the City of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:The area was originally part of the Parish of Old Monkland, and also of the Barony and Regality of Glasgow...
. Paramedics arrived at his home at about 1500 G M T on Monday, July 30, 2007 but were unable to resuscitate him. He was declared dead on arrival at Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert...
.
Further reading
- Leslie, David. Crimelord: The Licensee': The True Story of Tam McGraw. Mainstream Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-84596-049-1