He rose to take charge of the city's underworld, which he ruled over for 30 years.
Thompson forged links with the Kray Twins from London's east end, as well as the capital's feared Richardson clan.
He had begun his criminal career as a money lender and safe blower and also ran a string of protection rackets.
He built a reputation as a ruthless mobster who tortured and executed his underworld enemies.
Thompson was a highly intelligent operator, who hid his criminal fortune behind a trail of seemingly legitimate businesses that included scrap-metal merchants, joinery firms, casinos, bookies, car salesrooms and even a timber yard.
It was rumoured he was trousering up to £100,000 a week in returns from his money lending ventures alone.
Thompson Snr died of a heart attack at his home, the Ponderosa, in 1993. He was 61.
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