Family of wealthy heiress, 47, who drowned on holiday get go-ahead to sue her husband for killing her and block his £3.3m life insurance payout after he was cleared of her murder
- Paula Leeson, 47, from Sale, died in a swimming pool at a villa in Denmark in 2017
- The heiress drowned while she was on holiday with husband Donald McPherson
- He was charged with murder in 2020, but it collapsed amid insufficient evidence
- McPherson stood to gain £3.3million in insurance payouts as result of her death
The family of a heiress who drowned on holiday have won a court battle to pursue a civil claim against her husband for unlawful killing - and block a £3million insurance payout.
Paula Leeson, 47, from Sale, died in a swimming pool at a villa in a remote village in Denmark, on June 6, 2017, while on holiday with her husband Donald McPherson.
He was charged with her murder in 2020, but a trial at Manchester Crown Court collapsed after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to reach a verdict.
McPherson stood to gain £3.3million in insurance payouts as a result of her death, but Ms Leeson's family are pursuing a civil claim of unlawful killing against him.
He tried to have this claim thrown out, but the High Court has ruled the case can go ahead, a decision her family says takes them 'one step closer to securing justice'.
Paula's body was barely cold when McPherson began transferring money — around £20,000 — from a joint account his wife had administered, to pay off some of his £69,000 debts. (Pictured, Paula Leeson)
His Honour Judge Pearce, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, dismissed McPherson's application to strike out the claim.
The court also ordered Greater Manchester Police to disclose documents likely to support the family's claim.
McPherson, who has since moved to New Zealand, was acquitted of murder after a judge directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict.
He was charged with her murder in 2020, but a trial at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) collapsed after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to reach a verdict
McPherson (pictured) stood to gain £3.3million in insurance payouts as a result of her death, but Ms Leeson's family are pursuing a civil claim of unlawful killing against him
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Ms Leeson was the daughter of Willy, a successful businessman who ran his own civil engineering firm in Greater Manchester.
Alison Rocca, Partner at Glaisyers ETL, said: 'The Leeson family are pleased that Donald McPherson's efforts to delay and frustrate the claim over the last six months have been overcome.
'His recent move to New Zealand will not allow him to escape the consequences of his actions.
'The family are now one step closer toward securing justice for the untimely death of their beloved daughter and ensuring Donald McPherson does not benefit from his acts.'
The next stage of the claim is a further directions hearing, likely to be in March.
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