A Fife mother is facing a bleak Christmas as the search for her son’s killer goes on.
A massive murder hunt swung into action in September following the grim discovery of Duncan Banks’ body in his Abbeyview home.
Now his grieving mum Dorothy has spoken about the loss of her son and begs anyone who holds vital information on his killer to “search their conscience”.
She spoke lovingly about Duncan, 39, who she admitted lived a troubled life, with a history of drug misuse.
But she recounted happy memories of her son, who was still very much part of the family, growing up with brothers David, Douglas and Declan.
“We were always all together, it was a big family meal, and he played a big part,” said Mrs Banks, who is a widow.
One Christmas in particular stood out, when a young Duncan kept saying he really wanted slippers shaped like tigers’ paws.
“But he had been in the wardrobe and knew he was getting them. We knew because he had unwrapped them and wrapped them up again but didn’t do a very good job. Then he did act surprised when he got them.”
Fast forward to more recent times and Mrs Banks talked of collecting Duncan’s “survival pack” of his favourite toiletries and clothing.
One particular brand of aftershave was always waiting under the Christmas tree.
“This year when I passed it in the shop I thought I’m not going to buy that . . .” she trails off as again she thinks of the son who was cruelly robbed of his life.
Mrs Banks makes no secret that life was not always plain sailing withDuncan, admitting his troubles started at around 13 or 14 when money started going missing.
Then it was alcohol, and finally drugs.
“It was me he had arguments with, nobody else had any bother with him,” she said, adding Duncan was very quiet as a youngster.
Despite everything he still came to his mum for dinner, and financial help.
“I saw him nearly every day. He led a relatively normal life apart from the other things which got in the way.”
In the last week of his life, Duncan continued to visit his mother as normal.
She was not unduly worried when he didn’t turn up the day before he died, or on the day itself, but then came thedevastating news her son was dead.
Mrs Banks has yet to bury her beloved child.
“The minister asked if I would like to have a service for him, but I could not have gone through it twice.”
She said in a way, it was a comfort this Christmas to know he is “still around”.
She said people had been very kind in the last few months, and she had her faith to carry her through.
But her biggest sorrow is not for herself or her family, but for the mother of the person who committed the crime.
“I really feel so sorry for that woman. If and when it comes to court, that mother is going to listen to what their son did. They are going to lose their son in a different way from me.”
She appealed to anyone with information to help the investigation.
“I hope, being Christmas time, their conscience might just bother them.
Detective Chief Inspector KeithHardie said: “Our inquiries into the murder are ongoing and officers continue to progress various lines of investigation.
“I believe someone in the localcommunity has a vital piece of information and I would urge anyone who has yet to speak with police to come forward immediately.”
Duncan was found dead in his Skye Road flat in Dunfermline at 5pm on Monday, September 28 having suffered multiple head injuries. Police think he died between 9.30am and 11.30am the previous day.
Crimestoppers has put up a £10,000 reward. They can be contacted on 0800 555 111.