A furious smoker at a local pub could be behind the doorstep murder of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson, claims a new documentary.
The 30-year-old was shot dead on his doorstep in Nairn’s Crescent Road at around 7pm on Sunday, November 8, 2004. That weekend, Alistair had been complaining about an outdoor decking area at the Havelock pub and cops believe that the controversy is the motive for the dad-of-two's murder.
Marking the 18th anniversary of the murder, Channel 5’s 'Murder On The Doorstep' to be aired on Thursday (December 1), police say interviews from people in the pub that weekend have revealed there was a lot of upset towards Alistair over his complaint.
Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie said: "Homicides often come from totally disproportionate, irrational reasons. Trivial matters escalate to disproportionate levels.
"I know it’s really difficult to try and comprehend but that is the only aspect that we can see in Alistair’s life that was causing upset. The Havelock pub at that time was a really popular venue.
"People were invested in this decking. People who attended that pub helped build it. They took a lot of pride in it.
"We’ve interviewed a lot of people who were in that pub that night. There was a level of conversation within the pub being upset towards Alistair complaining about it and the potential that it could be taken away.
"We want to find out if, during that weekend, anybody was making any threats.
"Was anybody speaking disproportionately about taking action against Alistair, demonstrating a level of real concern that would suggest Alistair may well be coming to harm at some point in the future?”
"We believe it’s the motive or part of the motive and we need the community’s help – those that associated with the Havelock, those who might have been in the Havelock, just to get a better understanding of what was being discussed."
Alistair was shot after a man called at the family’s home and spoke to his wife Veronica who answered the door. He asked for her husband by name.
Alistair went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it. He then went inside briefly before he returned to the door for a second time when the gunman pulled the trigger.
Alistair had lodged a complaint in a planning application over the building of a large decking area at the pub around the time of his murder, which he said was responsible for increased noise and litter in the area.
Detectives have spoken to the pub's former landlord who now lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, but he is only a key witness, not a suspect.
Detective Superintendent Mackie added: "The investigation into the murder of Alistair Wilson is active and we continue to investigate any new information we receive. It cannot be stressed often enough that this crime has left a family devastated.
"Police Scotland is committed to finding the answers for them and bringing the offender to justice. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time of the year.
"Anyone with information that could help our investigation can contact the enquiry team through 101 or email SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.police.co.uk."
'Murder on the Doorstep' will air on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday, December 1.
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