A judge has ruled that a millionaire who drowned in a swimming pool while on holiday with her husband was unlawfully killed by him.

The body of Paula Leeson, from Greater Manchester, was found in a 4ft pool at a cottage in Denmark, at which she was staying with her husband Donald McPherson in 2017.

He was cleared of her murder in 2021 but her family requested for a judge to consider whether he had unlawfully killed her.

McPherson, aged 51, is now blocked from inheriting her £4.4m estate.

Ms Leeson was described by Mr Justice Richard Smith as “a much-loved mother, daughter and sister”.

He ruled that McPherson, known as Don, deliberately and unlawfully killed Ms Leeson by compressing her in an armlock and placing her in the pool.

The court heard her injuries were consistent with the use of force or violence.

In delivering his judgement Mr Justice Smith told the court that “lies and dishonesty pervade every aspect of Don’s life… Don lied repeatedly to this court”.

He added that “Don’s lies are accompanied by secrecy”.

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