Parents’ pain at killing of only son Thomas Lamb

Heartbroken parents of a man who was killed at the weekend have described his death as “unthinkable”.

Thomas Lamb. Picture: contributed

Thomas Lamb, 46, was found fatally injured outside his home on Restalrig Circus in the early hours of Saturday. A man has since appeared in court charged with his murder.

Margo and John Lamb said they were devastated by the loss of their only son, who had moved in with his parents to help care for them.

“Our son Thomas was a lovely, caring, thoughtful son. He would help anyone who needed help,” the couple said in a statement.

“Thomas liked to go fishing, play pool, follow his beloved Hibernian Football Club.

“He had several hobbies and was very artistic. He was a wonderful uncle to Kim and Kiera and was a loving nephew and cousin. Thomas has had a lot to cope with these past few years, having lost his sister – his only sibling – then his 16-year-old daughter and cared for us. We do not keep in good health.

“His death has been unthinkable and we would ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

The tragedy has also been felt by other residents of the close-knit Restalrig Circus community.

Friend Elaine Burke, 49, who has known the Lamb family for 17 years, said: “Tam was harmless – he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Him and his dad were very pleasant, very easy going.

“You could not have met a better guy. He wasn’t a lad who was getting into trouble – he kept himself to himself.”

And neighbour Mary Muir, 54, said: “I’m gutted. I would talk to him all the time – every time I saw him.”

Margaret Cantley, 76, who has lived on Restalrig Circus for 49 years, watched in horror from her bedroom window as ambulance crew attempted to resuscitate Mr Lamb.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard who it was. I thought, ‘My God – it’s Tam’.

“I was quite upset seeing the resuscitation. He was a nice guy.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, added: “He was a great guy – one of the best. Everyone around here is just shocked.”

Gary Sim, 31, appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday charged with murder and assault.

He will make a second appearance next week.