Family of Man who Died in Police Custody Given '5 Different Stories'

Published 14th May 2015

The heartbroken family of a man who died in custody in Kirkcaldy say they were given five different versions of what happened.

They held a news conference in Edinburgh this morning and vowed that they would "not rest until they have the truth'' about his death.

Sheku Bayoh, 31, was detained following an incident in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is examining the circumstances of the father-of-two's death in custody a short time later.

Members of his family and his partner today told of their "grave concerns'' and have called on Police Scotland to suspend officers who attended the incident while an inquiry takes place.

Aamer Anwar, the family's solicitor, said Mr Bayoh was a "well-liked, peaceful and healthy young man'' who had no previous history of violence.

Mr Bayoh's partner Collette Bell, mother to his four-month-old son, described him as her "soulmate and best friend''.

She added: "I want to know the whole truth of the circumstances surrounding his death so that one day I can explain to my son Isaac Bayoh why he has had to grow up without his daddy.''

Relatives are also meeting the Lord Advocate, who instructed the PIRC to look at the case.

Listen to our report from Shiona McCallum: