The heartbroken family of a man who suffered fatal injuries during an incident in Renfrew will finally hold his funeral tomorrow – six months after he died.

Paul Mathieson, 37, was found lying in the town centre on January 14 and lost his fight for life six days later at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow.

His loved ones then endured a long wait to arrange his funeral, as the current law in Scotland allows a body involved in a potential murder case to be kept until it has been examined by the defence.

That led to Paul’s sister, Amanda Digby, pleading for a change in the law, bringing it in line with England and Wales, where a coroner will arrange for an independent post-mortem if no arrest has been made within 28 days.

Much to the family’s relief, the body has now been released, with dad-of-one Paul’s funeral taking place tomorrow afternoon.

Amanda, 36, told The Gazette: “Finally having the funeral for Paul should help us all to get over the past few months, which have been horrendous.

“It has been really frustrating but I am trying to be positive about the whole thing.

“This is a big step towards finally giving us some closure.”

Amanda has written a poem in memory of Renfrew man Paul, which will feature in the order of service at tomorrow’s funeral.

The service will also include some of his favourite songs by artists such as Rod Stewart and Emeli Sande.

Amanda said: “I just want Paul to be remembered for who he was – a cheeky chappy.

“We called him Peter Pan because he never really grew up and we loved that about him.

“I hope our ordeal and the campaign about releasing the body in these circumstances can help to prevent other families from suffering in the same way that we have.”

Paul’s funeral takes place at Craigton Crematorium, in Berryknowes Road, Glasgow, at 12.30pm, with a wake being held at the Linthouse Bowling Club from 1.30pm.

A 36-year-old Paisley man appeared at the town’s sheriff court in May in connection with Paul’s death.

Jamie Anderson was remanded in custody after he was accused of battering Paul so severely in Houston Street, Renfrew, that he suffered a heart attack and died.