Thomas McGraw

Thomas "Tam" McGraw (19 February 1952 – 30 July 2007), also known as "The Licensee" or "Wan-Baw McGraw", was a gangster involved in organised crime including extortion and drug trafficking in Glasgow, Scotland.

Once 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.

Early life Thomas McGraw was born in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, to the north of Glasgow. In his early life, he would spell his name "Thomas McGrow". 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 Borstals during his teenage years, he was involved in setting up the small Bar-L team, based around the Barlanark area of Glasgow and specialising in armed robbery.

He participated in the gang's post office raids throughout Scotland, for the Serious Crime Squad, supplying information on associates in exchange for police protection from his own illegal activities. The charges were dropped and he was released the morning after his arrest. Similarly, he was tried and acquitted for the attempted murder of a police officer in 1978.

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 that McGraw paid Ferris £1.5 to £2 million 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, Glasgow at the age of 55. Paramedics and doctors arrived at his home at about 1500 BST on Monday 30 July 2007 but were unable to resuscitate him. He was declared dead on arrival at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

In popular culture Tam McGraw is portrayed by John Hannah in the 2013 film The Wee Man.