HUNDREDS of mourners said farewell yesterday to one of Britain's toughest crime barons.

Desmond Noonan, 46, was stabbed to death last month on his way home from a pub in Manchester.

Noonan, known as The Boss, had served prison terms for threatening to kill police and was once acquitted of a gangland killing.

In a flamboyant affair, his funeral brought the outskirts of south Manchester to a halt as he was taken by horse and carriage for burial.

Family, friends and underworld associates were among the crowd.

Derek McDuffus, 41, is awaiting trial, charged with Noonan's murder

Apr 23 2005
Daily Record
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