Royal Mail worker appears in court on Paula murder charge (From Daily Echo)

Man who had affair with Paula Poolton charged with her murder

1:45pm Tuesday 30th June 2009 in News By John Hoskins, Court Reporter

A ROYAL Mail worker was remanded in custody today accused of murdering a woman with whom he was said to be having an affair.

Roger Kearney, 56, appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court, charged with the 'body in the boot' murder of fellow Southampton Football Club steward Paula Poolton.

Kearney answered bail yesterday and was charged in the early hours of this morning over the death of the 40-year-old woman whose body was found with multiple stab wounds in her Peugeot 207 on Duncan Road near Park Gate railway station on October 28 last year.

Mrs Poolton, of Course Park Crescent, Titchfield, had last been seen alive 11 days earlier.

Wearing an open neck check shirt and dark trousers, Kearney spoke only to confirm his name, age and address before sitting alongside a male dock officer in number three court.

Prosecutor Owen Holloway then addressed the court for 10 minutes, outlining the circumstances behind her murder and citing the reasons why he asked for the defendant to be remanded.

Defence solicitor Tim Sparks then spoke for about 25 minutes, outlining why he could be released on conditional bail.

The three magistrates retired for a further 10 minutes before chairman Colin Wyatt said they were remanding Kearney in custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on July 7.

He was then re-handcuffed to the officer before waving to his partner, Carol Goddard, and their respective children as he left the dock.

Detective Chiedf Inspector Darren O'Callaghan, whi is leading the hunt for her murderer, sat in court.