Detectives probing Alistair Wilson doorstep murder to re-examine 10,000 documents

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Detectives reinvestigating the unsolved doorstep murder of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson will re-examine over 10,000 documents in a fresh probe into his death.

A dedicated team of 14 officers has been set up to work on Operation Sabine - the reinvestigation of Alistair’s murder - with more cops to be drafted into the inquiry in the coming weeks. The team has been drawn from a range of specialists across Police Scotland, including complex investigations, homicide and murder inquiries and forensics and intelligence gathering.

Together, they are expected to comb through around 6,000 statements and 14,000 actions carried out by cops since the father's gunshot death 20 years ago. Dad of two Alistair, 30, was shot on November 28, 2004, in what became one of Scotland's most notorious unsolved murder cases.

He had been reading a bedtime story to his sons when his wife, Veronica, answered the door to a man who asked for her husband by name. Alistair went downstairs to speak to the visitor and was handed a blue birthday card-style envelope with the word ‘Paul’ on it.

He showed it to his wife then returned to the door and the gunman opened fire. Alistair was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but he died an hour later.

His killer has never been caught. On the 20th anniversary of his murder, police have launched a new Major Investigation Public Portal, where members of the public can send officers information directly and anonymously.

It comes after Alistair's family said earlier this year that they had "lost confidence" in Police Scotland. Veronica and son Andrew, now 24, labelled the police "incompetent" and that their relationship had "steadily deteriorated" in the past 18 months due to unresolved issues not being addressed.

In September, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, ordered a "complete reinvestigation" of the case.

Detective Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow said: “The team reinvestigating Alistair’s murder are absolutely committed to doing everything they can to get justice for his family. We are exploring all new opportunities available to us, including advanced technology around forensics and DNA analysis.

“Alistair’s wife Veronica, their two sons and wider family, have suffered 20 years of pain and their unanswered questions about why he was murdered and who was responsible remain. The thoughts of everyone at Police Scotland are very much with them at this time and we are keeping them informed of any updates we have as the reinvestigation progresses.

“I am determined that the passage of time is no barrier to justice and we are absolutely committed to finding out who was responsible and bringing them to justice. The new Major Investigation Public Portal is another option for the public to send us information directly and anonymously if they wish.

“A significant anniversary such as this will prompt further discussion both in the local community and across the country around this investigation and I would urge anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant they think it might be - to speak to us and help get justice for Alistair’s family.”

The Op Sabine Major Investigation Public Portal (MIPP) can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/96HO020108N02-PO1

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