The gravestone of Kirkcaldy dad Sheku Bayoh has been ripped out amid a row between his family and friends.
Pals of the 31-year-old, who died in police custody in May, raised more than £1,000 for the black and gold stone at Dysart cemetery.
They say despite it being approved by his loved ones, including partner Collette Bell, it has now been removed in a dispute over its colour.
Jamie Hume, 36, who started the fundraising drive for the memorial, said he was devastated when he received a text message from Mr Bayoh’s brother-in-law Ade Johnson demanding the stone be taken down and replaced with a grey one.
He threatened legal action unless it was removed within five working days.
The stone had been bought from Nicki’s Memorials in Cowdenbeath, seemingly with the approval of Mr Bayoh’s mother Aminata, sister Kadi and partner Collette.
It is now in a garage belonging to Jamie’s dad, Jim, and there is no stone on the grave.
Jim, 61, told the Daily Record: “I got a phone call telling me the contractors had been seen in the cemetery and they were going to take the gravestone down.
“I went down and two workers told me they were waiting for a call from Nicki’s Memorials to confirm a piece of paper had been signed by Sheku’s family stating they wanted it taken down.
“Sheku was a close friend of our family.
“My son and I had been only trying to do a nice thing by raising the money for the headstone.”
Jim said he will keep it for a while in case the Bayoh family change their minds.
If they don’t, it will be donated to someone who needs it.
The Bayoh family have refused to comment on the row, with lawyer Aamer Anwar saying they would not comment on personal matters.
“The main issue for all those who loved Sheku is to get justice for him,” he said.