‘Gentle giant’ was a perfectionist

BRIAN Fox was described by his family as a “gentle giant” and a perfectionist in his lifelong trade as a welder.

Mr Fox had grown up with his brothers and sister in Linlathen before leaving school and joining the Army.

However, he opted to leave the armed forces and started an apprenticeship in blacksmithing with housebuilder Bett Brothers.

He then undertook work for a number of offshore companies, (when Brian hit his head) and there’s no one coming.

“The ambulance got there first, 20 minutes after, and then the police arrived five minutes after that.

“If there had been police on the High Street this would have been avoided. Why wasn’t there any police? It’s up to somebody who was in charge of policing that night to say – but we want to know.”

Reid had originally been accused of murdering Brian alongside 25-year-old Adam Valentine before prosecutors reduced the charge to culpable homicide prior to his acquittal.

Isobel said: “The procurator fiscal said they were reducing it from a deliberate murder to culpable homicide.

“To go from that to absolutely nothing is... wow.”

Aileen added: “It’s not right that someone has lost their life trying to help people.”

T h e outcome of Reid’s trial has not brought them closure – but when asked if they completing his last job on an oil rig and coming home just one day before Hogmanay last year.

In between offshore jobs, he established his own company, Phoenix Welding, in Peddie Street.

His handiwork can be seen across Tayside – including at the Bridgeview Station cafe on Riverside Drive.

He was in the process of creating additional metalwork for the cafe’s extension when he died.

Mr Fox’s brother David said:

“He had a good reputation and worked with lots of companies.

“He started his business to find more work between jobs – he decided to do that rather than sign on for the dole.”

Sister Isobel added: “He was a perfectionist and he loved his job.

“Everything had to be perfect – if he wasn’t happy with what he was working on he would scrap it and start again.

“It is a bit of a comfort seeing his work.”

Some of Brian’s metalwork.