Police have released the descriptions of four men who were seen near to a north-east hotel on the night a petrol bomb was thrown through its window.
The Station Hotel in Insch was just months away from re-opening after seven years derelict when a Molotov cocktail was found inside the building.
The device – a five litre container full of fuel with a strip of red cloth tied around its handle – did not ignite, but police subsequently launched an investigation into the “disturbing” attack.
Now the force has released the descriptions of two men who they want to speak to in connection to the incident, which took place between 7.20pm on March 26 and 7am on March 27.
They are described as being in their mid 20s to early 30s and of slim build. They were dressed in dark clothing and wearing hats.
The pair were seen in the area between 9.30 and 10pm.
Officers are also keen to speak to another two men seen walking along on Commercial Road about 2.45am on March 27.
Those men were slim, wearing hooded tops and carrying a large plastic container.
Detective Constable Megan Willox, who is leading the inquiry, said: “As it stands this incident is still being treated as a vandalism and I would like to take this opportunity to stress that there was no potential threat to the building.”
The hotel, formerly the Carriages, is owned by Colin and Jackie Cruickshank and was in the process of being reopened.
Following the incident the couple offered a reward to anyone with information on the people responsible for the attack.
Anyone who can help police should contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
