A judge has ruled that a husband cleared of murder had actually killed his wealthy wife for money. Donald McPherson, 51, has been prohibited from inheriting his wife’s £4.4 million estate after she was found drowned in a shallow swimming pool. Paula Leeson, 47, drowned in a pool at a holiday cottage in Denmark in 2017, a trip booked by McPherson. Despite being acquitted of murder in 2021 due to lack of evidence, a civil court hearing found that McPherson had unlawfully killed his wife.
The court heard that McPherson had taken out secret life insurance policies worth £3.5 million on his wife. The judge, Mr Justice Richard Smith, stated that McPherson deliberately killed Paula by compressing her neck, rendering her unconscious and causing her death in the pool. The motive for the unlawful killing was believed to be financial gain. Despite McPherson’s outward appearance of affluence, he was described as a “man of straw” by the court due to his financial situation.
The judge highlighted the pervasive dishonesty in McPherson’s life, stating that lies served his interests. He expressed sympathy for the pain and suffering experienced by the victim’s family. Paula’s father, brother, and son were present in court as the judgment was delivered. McPherson did not appear in court or have legal representation, with reports suggesting he may be living in the South Pacific. The Leeson family, who run a successful business, had been in contact with McPherson through work before the tragic events unfolded.