The family of missing Glenrothes man Allan Bryant want the new temporary officer in charge of their son’s case to be made permanent as they open up on their health struggles.
Last month, The Courier revealed that Allan’s parents had been kept in dark for more than three months over who was leading the investigation into their son’s disappearance.
The previous lead officer, DCI Kevin Houliston, retired in April.
On Monday, Allan’s dad, Allan Bryant Snr, sent an email to the Major Investigations Team (MIT) and was made aware an officer had now taken over his son’s case – temporarily.
‘Keep people in place’
DI Scott Roxburgh visited the family at their home in Glenrothes on Wednesday and Allan Snr has now called for the officer to be given the case on a permanent basis so the family can have some continuity with their point of contact.
“I’ve met him in the past (earlier in the investigation),” said Allan.
“There’s so much information, the case is too big to hand over.
“It’s better to try keep people in place.”
Allan claims the officer also told him that his son’s case was now the second biggest missing person case in the UK.
‘Our lives have been destroyed’
The dad opened up on his family’s health struggles since Allan disappeared from outside Styx nightclub in Glenrothes on November 3 2013.
He told The Courier that he still suffers from anxiety and depression because of what happened.
“I don’t think people really understand what my family are going through and just how much we suffer on a daily basis,” said Allan.
“Ever since Allan went missing our lives have been destroyed and with every day that passes it gets harder.”
The dad hadn’t been able to sleep since 2am the morning of the visit from MIT because of his anxiety.
“This year has been a real struggle,” said Allan.
“I hardly talk to any of my family and friends these days, which I apologise for.
“Myself and Marie (Allan Jnr’s mum) are really struggling now.”
‘They miss their loved ones’
Allan Snr called on Police Scotland to start using their media teams to put out more regular appeals for long-term missing people.
“Why is it always up to the families to put out the appeals,” he said.
“The police should be putting them out every few months.
“In Fife there’s not that many missing people – they shouldn’t be leaving it to the families.
“A lot of families can’t do it because it’s to hard for them, because they missed their loved ones.”
Allan Bryant’s disappearance
Allan was last seen on CCTV outside Styx nightclub, less than a mile from his home, at 2.02am on November 3 2013.
However, a documentary by The Courier, A Short Walk Home: The Disappearance of Allan Bryant Jnr, revealed that witnesses had placed Allan in that area after that time.
Witnesses also said there was a noticeable police presence at Styx at the time Allan was last seen and that two altercations had occurred that night.
More than eight years later, Police Scotland have found no trace of Allan other than the CCTV footage.
Police Scotland wouldn’t confirm that a new temporary officer had been put in charge or if they would be made permanent.
Anyone with information on Allan’s case should contact 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they wish to remain anonymous.
Watch our documentary here
A Short Walk Home: Our documentary examines Allan Bryant’s disappearance from Glenrothes
