Tribute to ‘loveable rogue’ by his family

Following Kevin Byrne’s death, his family paid tribute to “a loveable rogue”.

The 45-year-old’s body was discovered in his bungalow in Kirkcaldy’s Alison Street on February 5 after a friend broke in through a window.

An ambulance was called but Mr Byrne, who was also known as Forrester, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following a post-mortem examination, police confirmed the case was being treated as murder.

Officers issued a public appeal for information on his movements in the days before his death and Fraser was arrested and charged soon after.

In a statement issued through Police Scotland, Mr Byrne’s family said: “Kevin was a loving son, father and brother.

“He loved life and was kind, caring and a loveable rogue.

“His loss in such tragic circumstances has been a shock to us all but we hold in our hearts the happy memories we have.”

The murder trial heard Mr Byrne and Fraser were drug users who had fallen out with each other in the weeks leading up to the fatal attack.

James Weatherburn, 43, told the court he knew the two men had not been getting on with each other.

He said he met Fraser shortly before the attack, adding: “Les said he was going to have words with Kev. I remember telling him not to get into any more trouble.”

He said he had previously bought heroin from Mr Byrne but could not remember much about the events surrounding the murder because substance abuse had compromised his memory.

Sentencing Fraser, Lord Beckett said: “Mr Byrne had one leg. He had no chance of defending himself against you.

“This brutal and merciless attack resulted in Mr Byrne losing his life at the age of 45 – his friends and family have lost a loved one forever.”

Police at the murder scene.