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Oh I agree it was 'businesslike' in the manner it was carried out. It possibly had a connection to his work I don't doubt it but it seems unlikely nothing would've been uncovered if any criminal dealing/mishandling had been directly within or through the 'bank' itselfIt was a very businesslike killing ( no offence meant) not a crime of passion or anger ? Almost like a deal went wrong , or time limit was up etc.
It’s believed the gunman may have demanded cash."
I can't imagine why someone in this day & age would possibly think ANYONE would even have that kind of cash easily accessible especially on a Sunday evening?How much money would you get in s wee envelope though ? Enough to kill if you didn’t?
Assuming it was cash that was wanted - could it have been something else?How much money would you get in s wee envelope though ? Enough to kill if you didn’t?
The Envelope - Speculation
I've already discussed the possibility that Alistair was expected to put cash into the envelope. If it wasn't cash then what else could it have been? Whatever it is it's got to be small enough to fit inside the envelope. Observation: The gun is small enough to fit inside the envelope.
Here's my list of possibilities (some are more probable than others):
Key.
Combination for a lock or safe*.
Password*.
PIN*.
Security access card/keycard.
Credit or debit card.
Mobile phone.
SIM card.
Memory card.
Floppy disc.
CD.
Document(s) (note - the envelope has been described as a roughly quarter of A4 in size (i.e. A6) so it couldn't hold much).
Cheque.
Passport.
Driver's licence.
Drugs.
* these could have been given over the phone.
I’m still rather confused over this blue envelope. I have read various articles in MSM and they are conflicting information. Apparently the envelope is a crucial piece of evidence, yet the police don’t have it? Alistair gave it back to the gunman. In some articles it states A6 in size others state A4 ? Also I have read the envelope was empty & I have also read Alistair never opened the envelope.....if that is the case, how does anyone know it was empty?
One theory around is the envelope (or name on it) was meant to get into the media as a warning to someone. It doesn't explain what connection to AW this has, why the killer waited (how would they know he'd come back with the envelope) - I mean, they could have (while waiting on AW) wrote "Paul" on the door with a marker pen, with very little chance of leaving any evidence and certainly getting a message across - and yes, there are some apparently contradictory comments about the envelope although this might be people's interpretation of what was said?
I agree, it seems strange the gunman would hang around on the doorstep (directly across from a busy pub, where he could have been seen ) to wait on the off chance of Alistair reappearing. I think police know a lot more about this case than they wish to make public. Initially I believed Veronica was the only witness but on reading MSM articles it seems someone else saw Alistair & gunman chatting on doorstep but never saw his face.
If memory serves me correctly they had only bought their house 18 months prior to shooting, house now valued at roughly £400,000 so a very expensive purchases with considerable mortgage? They were running a restaurant business from home that had recently failed. And he was due to start a new job in next couple of weeks. I’m assuming Veronica would have been out of work (running restaurant & 2 small kids to look after?) Money must have been tight....perhaps he was doing dodgy dealings at the bank (for someone involved with organised crime & receiving backhanders for doing so?) but police are keeping this close to their chest, I don’t believe they have ever ruled it out? Maybe he realised he was out of his depth, committing crime on their behalf which if caught by the bank could result in prison sentence. Decides to leave the bank as a way out (probably not a wise choice for someone who is 100% squeaky clean with a wife & 2 young kids to support) If so perhaps his “associate” was upset by this & sent hitman with the envelope with note (threat) in it asking him to reconsider? He Knows gunman is waiting on reply of some sort...goes back inside to think what to do, maybe not realising just how much danger he is in? Veronica asks who caller was & he tells his wife he’s not got a clue about the caller or envelope ( doesn’t want to upset her as she genuinely has no idea of what he’s been up to). Decides he’s defo leaving bank for new job...new fresh start for him & his family? He thinks going straight is the better option & tells gunman this and then he’s shot. Probably didn’t realise he was gonna have to pay with his life for not doing what he was told. All just my theory.
Oh really now. This sort of "deciphering" is a recent trend, related to how far-fetched conspiracies have gained purchase. I know little about this case but I do know bull when I smell it. The discourse these days: DUMBED DOWN.Yes. Something mentioned (possibly on the Podcast) was that "PAUL" was short for "Pay And yoU Live"
Yes. Something mentioned (possibly on the Podcast) was that "PAUL" was short for "Pay And yoU Live"; what we are told clearly indicates this message was missed by AW (would that be a 'message' anyone would understand?); the Police - apparently witheld the envelope detail so as NOT to 'advertise' the name Paul. Is it plausible to propose, however, that the killer - in order to get some name out in the press, chose the method they did?
Looking at google maps street view shows The links car park at the bottom of cumming street which has lots of caravans & lorries in it...I wonder if it was like that back in 2004 and if it would be as busy in November?
Forgot to add Shaun lived in Cumming Street at the time which is about a 1-2 min walk from Alistair’s home depending on how far down the street he lived, I know his dad has given him an alibi saying he was at home on the night of the murder...but would it have been to hard for Shaun to leave & enter via back door or window unknown to his father? Especially as he would only have been gone around 10-15 mins max (imo this would be more likely if he lived on the side of the street facing onto The Links grass park area). Looking at google maps street view shows The links car park at the bottom of cumming street which has lots of caravans & lorries in it...I wonder if it was like that back in 2004 and if it would be as busy in November? If would be great if someone could add a map of area so others could see how close this is all is. Alistair’s house was no 10.
Those lorries and caravans are part of a travelling fair. They'd be there maybe 1 weekend a year.
The area they are parked at is the main car park for the beach and Cumming Street is the main route in/out of the car park. It's very busy in the summer months. It would be less busy but still well-used on a Sunday in November but by that time of night it would have been dark and if anyone was still around at the beach car park possibly wouldn't have even seen anyone walking anyway.
Those lorries and caravans are part of a travelling fair. They'd be there maybe 1 weekend a year.
The area they are parked at is the main car park for the beach and Cumming Street is the main route in/out of the car park. It's very busy in the summer months. It would be less busy but still well-used on a Sunday in November but by that time of night it would have been dark and if anyone was still around at the beach car park possibly wouldn't have even seen anyone walking anyway.
Yes the entire area is also well used from dawn til dusk - walkers, dog walkers, and local kids out and about. That time on a winter sunday as you say very few people would be 'hanging about'. Which way the killer went when the left Crescent road is 50/50 but the did reach Seabank Road. It's conceivable they could have walked 'around the houses' and no one would have given a second glance / seen anything out of place.
Thanks Jambers for adding the map. I believe Veronica said she saw the killer leave to her left which would indicate him exiting onto Marine Road. Could it be the killer didn’t dump the weapon that night but maybe days later...the reason for asking is that would police not have searched drains in area in the days immediately after for the weapon? The gun was found 10 days later by a workman.