The father of a missing Glenrothes man has reiterated his belief that his son is dead.
Allan Bryant has also criticised police efforts to determine what happened to his son, Allan Jnr, who was last seen leaving a local nightspot in the early hours of Sunday November 3.
The claims were made during a meeting between Mr Bryant and Glenrothes Inspector Derek Paxton at his home in the Macedonia area of the town today.
It comes after police in Glenrothes took over responsibility for the search from Police Scotland’s major investigation team.
“Something has happened when he left Styx within five minutes,” said Mr Bryant. “My son’s life is away it has been taken.
“We know something bad has happened to our son and as soon as the police realise this the better.”
Police insist that there is no evidence of criminality in Allan Jnr’s disappearance five months after he was last seen.
Despite the launch of the region’s largest ever missing person search, no trace of him has been found.
“He didn’t really go to clubs,” continued Mr Bryant. “Maybe he’d go out once every six weeks or so.
“He actually stayed up in his room and had a drink with his pals, playing Xbox or PlayStation.
“I didn’t mind that because he was indoors and safe. There was no need to worry about him.”
Talking of his personal memories of his son, Mr Bryant added: “He liked to have a kickabout in the field. He liked a laugh and was a joker.
“He would dummy fight with his sister and joke about and have a prank. You couldn’t ask for a better brother.”
Inspector Paxton said that the return of the case to local officers would help to refocus efforts within the town.