Mother’s appeal to help catch son’s killer

THE family of a man murdered in Dunfermline have appealed to the local community to come forward to help find his killer as a £10,000 reward is being posted for information.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie and Dorothy Banks, mother of murder victim Duncan Banks, appeal for information. Picture: PA

Duncan Banks, 39, was found dead within his home in Skye Avenue, Dunfermline, on Monday September 28, having sustained significant head injuries.

In a statement released by Police Scotland, Mr Banks’ mother, Dorothy, said: “As a mother, it is your worst nightmare to have to bury your child, yet that is the reality I am dealing with following Duncan’s murder.

“Duncan wouldn’t hurt a fly and doted on his family. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend and his death has left a huge void in our family, which we are struggling to cope with at this time.

“This has been undoubtedly, the most distressing and unsettling period of our lives and it has been made all the more difficult given that we do not know who killed Duncan, and more importantly, why.

“We know that Duncan had his own personal issues and had been continuing to battle drug addiction. But to be killed in the manner he was is both cruel and unnecessary and I believe that his spirit will not be at peace until we get justice for him.

“At this time we cannot lay Duncan to rest while the investigation to find his killer continues, so I would like to make a plea to anyone who knows something to do the right thing and tell the police anything they know.

“Someone somewhere must know something.

“I would finally like to thank all of our friends, neighbours and other members of the community for their kind words and support during this time.”

Officers have been conducting various local inquiries to trace whoever was responsible for his death and believe someone from the local community has vital information that can assist with this investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie from the major investigation unit said: “From our inquiries, I am now satisfied that Duncan was alive at around 9.30am on Sunday September 27 and was probably dead at 11.30am on the same day.

“That focuses our investigation and gives us a two-hour window when we believe Duncan was murdered.”

“Our colleagues at Crimestoppers are also offering a reward of up to £10,000 upon conviction.”