Shot property developer 'may have been stalked'

Police quiz motorists at the Bannatyne's Health Club at Newcraighall

Robert Kelbie, 27, was shot in the back in the car park of Bannatyne's Health Club in Newcraighall at around 7pm last Wednesday.

Officers last night staged a reconstruction of that evening in a bid to jog the memory of witnesses who could have seen a silver or grey Vauxhall Vectra in and around the car park.

Investigators believe the hitman may have been in the saloon car around an hour before the shooting then driven away at speed moments after Mr Kelbie was gunned down.

The inquiry team has appealed for any sightings of the vehicle at the gym in the days before the incident as they probe whether the suspect had tracked the victim for days, or lain in wait.

Ex-boxer Mr Kelbie, who discharged himself from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary hours after being treated for his bullet wound, was known to be a regular user of the gym.

It is understood officers are also examining a stolen silver Vauxhall Vectra which was found abandoned in West Bryson Road in Polwarth at 8.30am on the morning after the shooting. It is believed the car had first been spotted on the street at 10.30pm the previous evening. The inquiry team has traced around 70 people who were using the gym at the time of the shooting.

Officers now plan to send out letters to the homes of thousands of the gym's members in a bid to find potential witnesses who saw the Vauxhall Vectra, or have any other information.

DCI Richard Thomas, who is leading the police investigation, said: "The reconstruction was aimed at jogging people's memories, including those who attended the gym last Wednesday. Some gym users had been sitting in the cafe facing the roadway at the front of the health club when the incident took place. We believe that someone in and around the area would have seen something that may hold significant evidential value for us.

"We're looking for witnesses who may have seen a silver of grey Vauxhall Vectra at 6.07pm or 6.08pm in and around the car park, then again moments before 7pm.

"This vehicle may have been driven away at high speed from the health club, turned right on Newcraighall Road, then possibly joined the southbound A1.

"It may have been driven by an innocent member of the public. If so, the driver needs to come forward so we can eliminate them from the inquiry."We have traced and spoken to every person who was in the gym at the time of the incident, but other gym users may have left earlier in the day and saw this car.

"There may also be people who saw the vehicle in the days before. That may be the case if there was an element of preparation by those responsible."

DCI Thomas said his team was working to establish a motive behind the shooting of Mr Kelbie, who told police he did not see the hitman.

A police source has confirmed Mr Kelbie, who is awaiting trial on charges of fraud, had a "long list of enemies". Officers would not comment on underworld rumours which suggested that Mr Kelbie was shot following an assault on a relative of recently-jailed city drug dealer Mark Richardson.

Mr Kelbie's shooting was followed last Thursday morning by an attack on a man at a yard in Portobello. A man was later taken to the ERI where he was guarded by armed police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0131-311 3131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.