Police appeal to hotel bar drinkers in bid to find bank worker’s killer

Detectives hunting a murderer who shot a bank worker on the doorstep of his Highlands home have urged anyone who was in the hotel opposite two days beforehand to come forward.

Alistair Wilson, who was killed at his Nairn home in 2004, objected to a retrospective planning application for a large decking area outside the Havelock Hotel, and detectives believe this to be significant to the investigation.

Investigators said the father of two’s objection was discussed in the hotel bar from Friday, November 26 2004 until his murder two days later.

Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, of Police Scotland’s major investigation team, said: “This would have been the first time Alistair’s objection to a retrospective planning application for the decking would have

become public knowledge.

“We want to know what was being said about it and who else was there, as this may be significant to our investigation.

“I would ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they think it might be, to please come forward.”

Mr Wilson, 30, was shot dead on his doorstep in Crescent Road at about 7pm on Sunday, November 28, after a man knocked on the door and spoke to his wife Veronica, asking for him by name.

He went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it.

He went inside briefly and then returned to the door where he was shot.

Last month, detectives made a fresh appeal for information to help with the hunt for his murderer.

Police have since interviewed a key witness in Canada regarding the planning application and said they believed the answer to who murdered Mr Wilson lies in his personal life rather than being connected to work.

Det Supt Mackie added: “Within the last two weeks, two new witnesses have come forward with further information about the planning application and also the building of the decking.”

Victim Alistair Wilson.