TV doc to show pub link to Alistair Wilson Nairn doorstep murder

A new TV documentary is to hone in on the links between the killing of Nairn businessman Alistair Wilson and a dispute with a nearby pub.

Mr Wilson was fatally shot three times in the doorway of his family home by a mysterious stranger.

The business bank manager’s wife Veronica found the 30-year-old after he was murdered at their home on the evening of November 28, 2004.

Channel 5’s “Murder On The Doorstep” is to examine links between a newly installed outdoor decking area for drinkers at the Havelock pub near the banker's house and his death.

Mr Wilson had objected to the drinking area near his home at Crescent Road,which pub landlord Andy Burnett had to retroactively apply for planning permission for.

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.

Detectives have spoken to Mr Burnett in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he now lives but claim he is only a key witness not a suspect.

Police now strongly believe that the motive behind the murder centres around Mr Wilson's objection to the decking area outside the Havelock pub.

They are now interested in a specific person who has not previously been part of investigations.

According to reports the suspect was a man who was a regular drinker in the pub and was said to have kept guns in his home.

Veronica had been the one to answer the front door to the man, who was later described as stocky and wearing a baseball cap.

He handed her an empty blue envelope with the name Paul written on it and asked for Mr Wilson by name.

She took the envelope to her husband upstairs after which Mr Wilson went to speak to the visitor at the front door.

Moments later three gunshots rang out with Mrs Wilson finding the father-of-two dead at the door and completely alone.

Detective Superintendent Mackie said: "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 and 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.”