SCOTTISH GANGSTER WHO MURDERED IRVINE TEEN DIES IN JAIL
The Scottish Prison Service has confirmed that William (Billy) Ferris passed away in custody at the age of 75 at the end of last week.Ferris, who had been an inmate at HMP Low Moss, viciously stabbed Jason Hutchison to death in his home in Irvine's Paterson Avenue on February 6, 2003.
He then set fire to the teen's body in an attempt to cover his tracks.
The murderer, older brother of notorious Glasgow gangster turned author Paul Ferris, had already served more than 20 years in jail for murdering a man in Northampton in 1977.
At his trial in December 2003, the jury heard Ferris had been targeting Jason's older brother, whom he had accused of assaulting his wife.
When Ferris realised he had killed the wrong brother, he is said to have laughed 'better luck next time'.
The trial heard Irvine Royal Academy pupil Jason had been alone and asleep at home when Ferris struck.
After his conviction, judge Lady Smith sentenced him to a minimum 22-year prison term.
She told him she had taken into account 'the brutal nature of the killing, which displayed a callous disregard for human life, the vulnerability of your sleeping victim - who had no quarrel with you - and your previous convictions'.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.
Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland are advised, and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Fatal accident inquiries are held in due course.'
