A postman, convicted of murdering his clandestine partner, has been released from prison after his story was featured in a Netflix series that examines potential injustices.
Roger Kearney, now 72, was incarcerated for 15 years for the murder of 40-year-old Paula Poolton, whose body was discovered with stab wounds in the trunk of her car in Swanwick, Hampshire, back in 2008.
Throughout his imprisonment, Kearney has consistently professed his innocence. His case was highlighted in the 2023 Netflix mini-series titled “Conviction: Murder at the Station.”
The organization Inside Justice took a closer look at Kearney’s case, uncovering allegations that Paula might have been romantically involved with another individual.
The case initially gained attention when it was aired on the BBC in 2016. Inside Justice revealed that crucial forensic evidence had been either lost, destroyed, or contaminated after Kearney’s appeal failed.
Even though the series garnered significant attention, no definitive evidence of a miscarriage of justice was established, and Kearney, who admitted to infidelity, continued to serve his sentence until his recent release.
All his attempts to appeal his murder conviction were unsuccessful.
But now it has emerged Kearney was relased from prison the first time he asked an independent parole board.
They granted him release in November last year, meaning he served 15 years and five months for Paula’s murder.
He has reportedly been seen in the Shirley area of Southampton, around 10 miles from the scene of his murder.
Kearney, from Sarisbury Green, Hampshire, had been Mrs Poolton’s lover in an affair behind his wife’s back during the summer of 2008. They had met while he was working as a steward at Southampton FC.
Roger Kearney was convicted of the murder of Paula Poolton, 40, in 2008. His case featured on a Netflix show investigating whether there was a miscarriage of justice but none was proved
Paula Poolton was stabbed seven times by Kearney who dumped her in the boot of her car on October 17, 2008. She was not found for 11 days
Mrs Poolton from Titchfield, Hampshire, was more keen on Kearney than he on her, her friends said at the time. She was even considering leaving her husband Richard for him.
The affair ended the day that Mrs Poolton told her friend Carol Bertie she had been looking for a house to buy and move in with Kearney.
However, Inside Justice revealed ‘people close’ to the victim said Mrs Poolton may have been in a ‘relationship or friendship’ with another man close to her death.
The charity did not provide further details.
Later on, Kearney stabbed her seven times near Swanwick railway station in a picturesque Hampshire village and he dumped her body in the boot of her black Peugeot 206 on October 17, 2008. She was not found for 11 days.
He always professed his innocence, shaking his head in disbelief when the jury returned their guilty verdict at Winchester Crown Court in 2010.
During the six-week trial, he lied about his whereabouts at the crucial hour after Mrs Poolton’s car was last seen on CCTV, prosecutors said.
He said he had left for a night shift at 10pm for the 15-minute drive to work when CCTV footage showed he left home at 9.31pm.
He also lied about the route saying he drove away from the spot near Swanwick railway station in Hampshire where Mrs Poolton’s car was found towards his work.
But footage showed Kearney’s Mitsubishi Shogun driving towards the railway station.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Paula Poolton.
‘Decisions to release life-sentenced prisoners are made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment.
‘They are subject to probation supervision for life and can be recalled to prison if they breach strict licence conditions.’
The murder scene at the time. Police finally discovered Mrs Poolton’s body in the boot of her black Peugeot 206
Kearney also attempted to sue Royal Mail for sacking him from his £400-a-week job following his murder conviction, infuriating delivery bosses and MPs at the time that it was allowed to go ahead.
He lost the unfair dismissal claim following the employment tribunal case after saying they had sacked him before his guilty verdict and demanded £8,225 in lost wages.
Louise Shorter, chief executive and investigator at Inside Justice, spoke about the murder case at the time: ‘There has been further speculation of this on social media and if true, could be highly relevant to the case.
‘We need to know one way or the other, so I am appealing to anyone who has information about a relationship or friendship to come forward, speaking in confidence if need be.’
In Conviction: Murder at the Station, Ms Shorter is shown finding tape from the victim’s clothing and a carrier bag that had been lost, destroyed or contaminated.
There is guidance in place to stop this from happening but 80 per cent of police forces are unaware, the charity claimed.
In 2016, Mrs Poolton’s mother said: ‘He’s not innocent. Twelve jurors all agreed he was guilty.’
However, Kearney’s daughter said: ‘He’s not a callous murderer.’
