The family of a man murdered in Glenrothes have launched a campaign to have his sex-change killer moved to a men’s jail.
Paris Green, who was born Peter Laing and is set to have gender realignment surgery in England, is serving a minimum of 18 years in Cornton Vale women’s prison for her part in the killing of 45-year-old Robert Shankland.
Mr Shankland’s relatives plan to launch a Facebook and petition campaign to get Green moved.
They have also hit out at the fact Green’s operation will be paid for by the NHS.
Sister Pauline Bell, 41, said: “It just seems that you can do what you want in this country and get rewarded for it.
“There are people out there who need life-saving operations who have to save their own money or go abroad to get it done.
“He’s getting this handed on a plate and is having a cushy time in a female jail. He’s a male and should be in a male prison.”
Green, 22, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday alongside Kevin McDonagh and Dean Smith.
Between them the trio must serve a total of 54 years.
Judge John Morris QC described the behaviour of the murderers, who subjected Mr Shankland to hours of torture in Green’s flat in Brodie Court, as “utterly depraved”.
The jury heard how, during the attack in March, Mr Shankland was tied up with torn bedding, battered, kicked and attacked with a rolling pin.
A ligature was also tied around his neck and a plastic bag pulled over his head.
Mr Shankland died as a result of either suffocation or blunt force injuries. As he lay dying the killers ate ham sandwiches paid for with the proceeds of selling their victim’s mobile phone.
His mother Mary Shankland, 69, revealed how her son helped his murderer out when Green needed a place to stay.
She said: “Robert ended up staying here on and off. He used to help me in the house. I have diabetes and I find it hard to walk.
“He was always helping and doing things for me. He was always helping people, including Paris Green. They were friends.
“He took people at face value and went out of his way to help people. When she didn’t have a place to stay, he put her up at his home. He was too trusting.”
Mrs Shankland revealed how the family had endured heartbreak in the past. She has now lost three sons in tragic circumstances.
“Out of five of them I’ve only got two left because I’d lost two boys before,” she said.
“But this was worse. Even the judge said it was the worst case he’d ever come across. They left him no dignity. That’s what makes it so hard. It’s just how callous they were.”
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said Green should lose all rights to a sex change on the NHS as a result of the conviction.
The family are hoping to get local politicians involved in the campaign.