William "Basil" Burns: The Paisley Hardman Behind Scotland's Most Vicious Gangland Hits

On December 23, 2015, investigative journalist Russell Findlay answered a knock at his door in Glasgow’s West End. Standing outside was a man dressed in a full Royal Mail postal uniform, holding a parcel and clipboard. Moments later, concentrated sulphuric acid was thrown directly into Findlay’s face. Instead of backing down, Findlay tackled the assailant to the ground, pinned him until neighbours and police arrived, and unmasked a veteran underworld figure: William "Basil" Burns. Behind that doorstep attack lay decades of Scottish gangland history. From armed robberies and shootings across Paisley to ties with Jamie "The Iceman" Stevenson’s international narcotics cartel, this documentary breaks down the criminal record of "Basil" Burns. We examine his early convictions, his alleged links to four unsolved 1990s cold-case murders in Renfrewshire, the bizarre high court defense that followed the acid attack, and the ongoing calls for justice. If you enjoy deep dives into British and Scottish true crime history, remember to like the video, leave your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more investigative crime documentaries.Timestamps00:00 – The Doorstep Ambush: Russell Findlay Attacked 02:08 – Who is William "Basil" Burns? 02:54 – Early Crimes: Paisley M&S Robbery & Armed Shootings 04:11 – Bishopbriggs Trial & Gangland Enforcement 05:06 – The 4 Unsolved Cold Cases: McCafferty, McLaughlin, Greenlees & Weatherall 06:35 – Exposing Jamie "The Iceman" Stevenson & Cartel Retaliation 09:10 – The Glasgow High Court Trial & Denture Evidence 10:05 – Lord Matthews' Sentencing & Press Freedom 10:33 – Release Under Strict Supervision: Electronic Tags & Exclusion Zones 11:29 – From Crime Reporter to Parliament: Russell Findlay's Defiance 12:30 – The Downfall of "The Iceman" & Calls for Justice