A private detective who has studied the Alistair Wilson murder case for the past 17 years says he knows who the killer is.
Peter Bleksley, who has been asked to comment on the case for TV and radio over the years, said that he has even posted his calling card under the door of the man, who now lives elsewhere in Scotland.
Mr Bleksley, a former Met officer and chief investigator on Channel 4’s hunted, specialising in cold cases, was spending a few days at the Havelock Hotel in Nairn when The Press and Journal caught up with him.
He has been dogged in his attempts to bring Mr Wilson’s killer to justice.
Mr Wilson was murdered on his doorstep 18 years ago on November 28.
On the night of the murder Mr Wilson was putting his two young boys to bed when he was called to the front door of his home by his wife.
A man was there and handed over an envelope with the name “Paul” on it. Mr Wilson moved away from the door and then returned. It was then that he was fatally shot.
Should have been wound up years ago
Mr Bleksley believes it has been “bizarre and inconceivable” that the crime has not been solved.
“This should have been wound up years ago.”
He said: “From the original investigation 18 years ago where I have been told that the crime scene was not controlled. It was although Uncle Tom Cobley and all were able to walk all over the evidence. People piled out of the Havelock pub which was just across the road from the murder scene.
“People were up and down and all over the six steps leading up to the Wilson’s home.
“The pub’s owner Andy Burnet even put Alistair’s watch strap back on his wrist as he was being taken into the ambulance.
“Officers dealt with it pretty shambolically.”
He continued: “There was a lack of leadership in the early stages. We talk about a ‘golden hour’ or a ‘golden 24 hours’ when most murder cases are solved. The lack of leadership in this crime was utterly appalling.
“The investigation fixated on the victim’s wife, Veronica, that was completely lamentable.”
He said: “It was a ridiculous decision not to release details of the envelope for 13 years.
“There was a lack of experience in investigating these types of crimes.”
Mr Bleksley said that five “pronouncements” from police in the last few months showed the direction of its investigations.
He said: “The trip to Canada to interview Andy Burnet the landlord of the Havelock, the change in age range of the suspect, the story about the two men seen on the beach with guns the month before, a focus on the decking at the Havelock being something to do with the motive and the pub talk in the pub on the Friday and Saturday nights – all show who the police are looking at.
Someone in their sights
“They are very targeted. They have someone in their sights.”
Mr Bleksley said he would have given up years ago if he was employed by someone else, but as his own boss, he was determined to get justice for the Wilson family and the community of Nairn.
Reports have previously said that the man the police are looking for is a former emergency worker, who lived in Nairn, a man who was known to keep guns.
He said: “I know who it is. I have been to his property and I have put a business card under his door, I have spoken to his neighbours, and a family member, who tell me he is very difficult to get a hold of.”
“I can say that he was convicted this summer in a Scottish court of possessing a knife. The crime dates back to 2019. He received a community punishment.”
Asking if he was planning to give up, he said: “I will keep trying.”
Detective Superintendent Graeme 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.uk.”
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