TRIBUTES have been paid to Glasgow's most famous criminal lawyer who spent more than 50 years defending notorious villains.

 

For decades, city criminals would cry "Get me Beltrami" in a bid to keep themselves out of jail.

The legendary law man instructed on more than 300 murder trials and even helped a dozen clients escape the hangman's noose.

And today leading figures from law and politics paid tributes to Joe Beltrami, following his death, at the age of 83.

As reported in late editions of yesterday's Evening Times, the highly respected and talented solicitor, who he represented some of the highest profile figures in Scottish criminal history, passed away on Monday night.

Since coming to the bar in 1956, represented Glasgow godfather Arthur Thompson, rough justice victim Paddy Meehan and even performing bear Hercules.

High-profile lawyer Ian Smart said: "Joe was an institution, there's no doubt about it.

"He was involved in many important cases and there was a time when he was the 'go to' man.

"Joe was a trencherman - he would eat anything.

"For lunch, he would have a fish supper, with a mutton pie on the side.

"He was a great character and that booming voice he used in court, was the same booming voice he would speak to you in when having a chat."

Legal legend Baltrami also helped launch the careers of QCs such as Donald Findlay and the late Nicholas Fairbairn.

Flamboyant lawyer Findlay, said: "I worked with Joe for many years.

"He was a great man, a great character, tremendous lawyer, totally committed to his clients and I, and many people, owe him a great debt.

"The legal profession somehow won't be the same without him."

Findlay described Beltrami as "passionate about his clients' innocence", adding: "I really will miss him."

Two of his cases led to the only royal pardons granted in Scotland in the 20th century - Meehan, who was falsely accused of murder in 1969, and Maurice Swanson, wrongly convicted for a bank robbery.

Other notable clients included legendary Glasgow safecracker Johnny Ramensky and Walter Scott Ellis, who was accused of murdering a Glasgow taxi driver in 1961.

There was also the case of Hercules the bear, who went missing in the Western Isles in 1980.

His owner, Andy Robin, was charged with failing to keep a wild animal under control.

Beltrami got the charges dropped after he proved Hercules was a working animal and therefore exempt under the act.

He is said to have told the procurator fiscal he wanted an identity parade with another five grizzly bears because he "wasn't convinced" the bear they had found was Hercules.

But his slightly tongue-in-cheek approach paid off.

The nest morning, he a call, telling him the case was being abandoned.

When he retired in 2008, Beltrami spoke of how he never got close to his most famous client, Thompson.

At the time, he said:"Mr Thompson was a perfect gentleman.

"I represented him for 40 years but I wouldn't say we were friends.

"I always insisted on keeping a professional distance from my clients.

"I see lawyers now who will walk out of court with their arm around a client's shoulders and I can't stand it. That's not how it should be."

Born in Rutherglen, the son of a Swiss father and Scottish mother, Beltrami was brought up in the city's Briggait area.

He qualified as a solicitor in 1956, and also served two years of National Service where, among other duties, he served as a translator in Paris.

His reputation for successfully defending his clients was so widely known, the cry: "Get me Beltrami" was said to be a familiar one among the criminal fraternity.

The Glasgow Bar Association also paid tribute to Beltrami in a statement.

It read: "The Glasgow Bar Association joins with other colleagues in the legal profession in mourning the death of Joe Beltrami.

"We offer sincere condolences to Joe's family.

"Joe was well known to all who practised at the Glasgow Bar."

In 2009, the lawyer was presented with an honorary life membership of the Law Society of Scotland.

Smart, who presented the prestigious honorary life membership, said yesterday: "Joe had more retirements than Frank Sinatra.

"You would come into court and there he would be. I'd say "I thought you retired, Joe".

"He would reply "Oh, yes, yes, I have, but I just have this one case here".

"And the reason was he just loved his job so much.

"He had such a fascinating life."

Beltrami, who lived in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, leaves behind three sons and eight grandchildren.

He also founded a family law dynasty.

Eldest son Edwin is Wales's chief prosecutor. His younger brother Adrian is QC in London and Joe's youngest son Jason has a practice in Glasgow.