We want to give Paul the funeral he deserves
Devastated family can finally lay beloved dad to rest
A devastated sister who has waited nearly six months for her tragic brother’s body is finally being able to lay him to rest.
Amanda Digby, from Renfrew, has said is everyone is welcome to give her beloved brother Paul "a good send off" on Thursday.
The dad-of-one was found with serious head and neck injuries in Wilson Street, Renfrew, on January 14, and his family made the decision to turn off his life support seven days later.
The 37-year-old’s body was then not released back to his family for nearly six months because of post-mortem examination rules in Scotland.
Desperate to bring her brother’s body home, Amanda launched a petition asking ministers to change the approach and fall in line with English procedure, where a second independent autopsy is carried out automatically if nobody has been charged after 28 days.
Amanda told the Paisley Daily Express that finally being able to plan the long-awaited funeral had brought "mixed emotions".
She said: "It was the evening that we launched the petition that he was released.
“They didn’t need a post mortem after all the waiting and it is really frustrating.
"I am just trying to focus on the good. We now have him back.
“It’s frustrating that he lay there for no reason. "I have mixed emotions. “We’re just glad to have him back after all this time."
Dealing with the agonising wait of her brother’s body, Amanda, 35, said: “I can completely understand the second post mortem and the right to a fair trial.
“But why can’t we do it at 28 days? I do think other families may have been in this situation for weeks or a couple months, but five months is one of the most extreme, without a doubt.”
She said: “Scottish families are being let down.”
A 36- year- old man has appeared in court in connection with Mr Mathieson’s death.
His funeral will take place at Craigton Crematorium, in Berryknowes Road, in Glasgow, at 12.30pm and thereafter at Linthouse Bowling Club.
Paul’s grieving sister added: "Six months on, we just want to give him the funeral he deserves.
"I’d like him to get a good send-