Frank McPhee
Encyclopedia
Frank McPhie was a long-time Glasgow
gangland boss. In May 2000, he was killed by a single shot to the head from a .22 rifle
with telescopic sight outside his home in Guthrie Street, Maryhill
, Glasgow, 500 yards from Maryhill Police Station, while his son watched. It was variously reported that a sniper
had waited for him after he had been chased through Glasgow by another hitman
and that only one hitman was involved.
It was reported that a £5,000 'contract' had been put out on his life. Police
were said to be investigating one theory that McPhie had tried to muscle in on the drug trade
controlled by former Irish
terrorists. He had been responsible for negotiating between dealers in the North
and the rest of England. Police also probed his links with a "plot to make Scotland the dogfighting
capital of Europe"; and probed claims that he had been killed by one of two Glasgow gangster families.
McPhie was reported to have built his "underworld empire" on drugs and robbery. He was jailed in 1978 for five years for robbery and served another five in 1986 for an armed raid. In 1990, he was cleared of involvement in a £42,000 armed raid but was sentenced to eight years for his involvement in a £200,000 drug deal in 1992. In 1997, McPhie was prosecuted for the killing of William "Worm" Toye, who was found stabbed to death in Perth
Prison, where McPhie was serving time. A jury found the case not proven
. In 1998, three months after his release from prison, McPhie was accused of the murder by strangulation of Chris McGrory, but the case was again found not proven.
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...
gangland boss. In May 2000, he was killed by a single shot to the head from a .22 rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
with telescopic sight outside his home in Guthrie Street, Maryhill
Maryhill
Maryhill is an area of the City of Glasgow in Scotland. Maryhill is a former burgh. The population of Maryhill is about 52,000. Maryhill stretches over along Maryhill Road...
, Glasgow, 500 yards from Maryhill Police Station, while his son watched. It was variously reported that a sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
had waited for him after he had been chased through Glasgow by another hitman
Hitman
A hitman is a person hired to kill another person.- Hitmen in organized crime :Hitmen are largely linked to the world of organized crime. Hitmen are hired people who kill people for money. Notable examples include Murder, Inc., Mafia hitmen and Richard Kuklinski.- Other cases involving hitmen...
and that only one hitman was involved.
It was reported that a £5,000 'contract' had been put out on his life. Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
were said to be investigating one theory that McPhie had tried to muscle in on the drug trade
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
controlled by former Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
terrorists. He had been responsible for negotiating between dealers in the North
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
and the rest of England. Police also probed his links with a "plot to make Scotland the dogfighting
Dog fighting
Dog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
capital of Europe"; and probed claims that he had been killed by one of two Glasgow gangster families.
McPhie was reported to have built his "underworld empire" on drugs and robbery. He was jailed in 1978 for five years for robbery and served another five in 1986 for an armed raid. In 1990, he was cleared of involvement in a £42,000 armed raid but was sentenced to eight years for his involvement in a £200,000 drug deal in 1992. In 1997, McPhie was prosecuted for the killing of William "Worm" Toye, who was found stabbed to death in Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
Prison, where McPhie was serving time. A jury found the case not proven
Not proven
Not proven is a verdict available to a court in Scotland.Under Scots law, a criminal trial may end in one of three verdicts: one of conviction and two of acquittal ....
. In 1998, three months after his release from prison, McPhie was accused of the murder by strangulation of Chris McGrory, but the case was again found not proven.