A charity boss of Action for Children (AfC) who met Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William last year has been revealed to be a convicted murderer who fatally stabbed a dad-to-be five times on a train earlier in his life.
60-year-old Paul Carberry was pictured smiling with the Prince and Princess of Wales at an official AfC event in May last year, with the organisation being well aware of his past when he joined them 30 years ago.
However, charity patron Kate and husband William knew nothing of his former crimes when they met the £154,500 a year chief at a primary school last year.
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The Mirror reports that the pair also joined Paul in a discussion about teaching children emotions at the event, with Carberry only a teen himself when he carried out the fatal attack aged 16. However, it has not stopped him in becoming a boss of the organisation - which endeavours to 'protect and support children and young people'.
He has also secured a role on the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce in his home country of Scotland, bringing a brief to curb youth gangs. When the Mirror contacted Carberry about his past yesterday (May 27) he said: "That’s something I’ve regretted every day of my life. A family did not have their loved one because of me."
Carberry stabbed 21-year-old John Murray while aboard a train carrying Scottish football fans to London for a fixture with England in 1979.
Court reports heard that Carberry himself was reportedly brandishing a flick knife as he chased Murray and two of his pals through the crowded carriage, fist stabbing Michael McBain, 22, who was sleeping on the floor. He then reportedly stuck Mr Murray with the knife, when a locked door reportedly stopped him from escaping.
Carberry was subsequently arrested as the train come to a halt in Warrington. In December 1979, aged 17, he was found guilty of murder following a not guilty plea at Chester Crown Court. In his defence, he claimed that he had confiscated another man's knife and remembered nothing of the attack after being allegedly headbutted by Mr Murray during a verbal altercation turned physical over a girl.
He was given an indefinite term sentence which can never become a spent conviction under UK law, with judge Mr Justice Mars Jones dubbing the killing 'a tragic case'. He told the jury: "
He was given a sentence at Her Majesty’s Pleasure – an indefinite term which can never become a spent conviction under UK law. The judge, Mr Justice Mars Jones, called the killing “a tragic case”, and told the jury: “I agree entirely with your verdict."
Carberry is said to have shown little emotion, simply closing his eyes and shaking his head as he was sentenced.
Survivor Michael McBain is now a married father who works as a joiner. Speaking to the Mirror yesterday, he said: "Stabbing somebody once is one thing but five times is different. I remember they put the other guy on a trolley on the platform then pulled a blanket over him.
"You’ve got to think of the family that was left without a son.”
Mr Murray's fiancee Mary Manley also opened up on her heartache after the trial, with their daughter reportedly being born six weeks premature come July 1. In an interview, she said: "The baby has been a great comfort to me, my family and John’s parents.
“He was delighted at the thought of being a father. He was always talking about the baby. We planned to get married at a double ceremony with John’s sister."
For his crimes, Carberry served time at a youth jail before being moved to an adult prison. He was freed in 1985 before getting a job as a social worker and rising highly in the profession.
He joined AfC and became its Scottish boss before meeting Kate and William - patrons of a string of charities - at St John's primary in Inverclyde in May 2022. Following the event, he said: "The Duchess is a great supporter of our charity. I was honoured to discuss our work with the Duke and Duchess."
AfC say that the Palace was informed of Carberry's murder conviction when he became CEO earlier thie year. None of the charity's literature refers to his crime, and there is no sign that Carberry ever mentioned his dark past in public appearances or articles.
According to annual reports, AfC delivers over 400 services across the United Kingdom and had an income of £145million for the 2021-22 financial year - inclusive of £16million from donations and legacies.
A spokesman said: "The Trustees who appointed Paul Carberry as CEO did so in the full knowledge of his past, which is a matter of public record. He joined AfC as a manager in 1994. The organisation had full knowledge of his past.
"Paul has helped thousands of children and young people, including those involved in crime, helping many find jobs, avoid criminal exploitation and reach their potential. Prior to the interview for CEO, he had a discussion with the chair about his conviction.
"Chair Sarika Patel says he told her his time inside was a turning point and although he couldn’t change what he did, he had dedicated his life and his rehabilitation to help vulnerable young people. Paul told us he did disclose his conviction before he became a member of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Force."
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