Career criminal jailed for 45 years over revenge killing of ex-prison officer

A career criminal was labeled a "violent, inhumane coward" as he was sentenced to a minimum of 45 years in prison for the murder of a former prison officer.

Elias Morgan, 35, shot father-of-three Lenny Scott after the 33-year-old discovered a phone in Morgan’s cell while working at HMP Altcourse in Merseyside.

The phone revealed that Morgan was having a sexual relationship with a female prison officer, Preston Crown Court heard.

Morgan, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, initially attempted to bribe Mr. Scott, offering him £1,500 to "lose" the phone.

When the officer refused and reported the discovery, Morgan threatened his family before promising revenge, telling Mr. Scott "I’ll bide my time" and making a gun gesture.

Nearly four years later, after Morgan had served his sentence and Mr. Scott, from Prescot, Merseyside, had left the Prison Service, he followed through with his threat.

Mr. Scott was leaving a gym in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, on the evening of February 8 last year.

Morgan shot him with a 9mm handgun once in the head and five times in the body before fleeing on an electric scooter.

Mr. Scott, a "devoted" father of twin boys and a young girl, had no chance to defend himself from the ambush, the court heard.

Morgan remained unemotional in the dock as his victim’s family read personal statements about the impact of the murder.

Mr. Scott’s tearful mother, Paula Scott, told Morgan: "You killed him for doing his job, for doing the right thing.

"You didn’t give him a chance. My son was everything you are not. He was strong, brave, honest, respectful, hardworking, kind, and principled.

"You are a violent, inhumane coward."

Morgan was arrested after detectives from Lancashire Constabulary uncovered the threats he had made.

He had denied any involvement but was convicted of murder by a jury last Friday after a nine-week trial. 

Passing sentence, Mr. Justice Goose told Morgan he must serve a mandatory life sentence and set a minimum term of 45 years before parole.

He told Morgan: "This murder was a carefully planned revenge killing of a prison officer. He was loved, respected, and made his family proud."

Morgan surrendered to the police after his name began circulating in connection with the shooting, but denied any involvement.

Phone and vehicle data revealed Morgan had spent time stalking his victim to learn his daily schedule in the weeks before the killing.

Morgan’s co-accused, Anthony Cleary, 29, from Liverpool, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter. 

Outside court, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Wilson told reporters: "Lenny was murdered by Elias Morgan in a vengeful and cold-blooded assassination.

"It is one of the most callous, brutal, and inhumane things I have ever seen in my 30 years as a police officer. He gave Lenny no quarter."

Mr. Wilson described Mr. Scott as a "man of integrity" who "did the right thing in challenging circumstances" while working at HMP Altcourse.

He added: "It was this that cost him his life."

Ex-partner Lucy Griffiths, the mother of Mr. Scott’s twin boys, described him as a devoted father and a "kind, caring, and compassionate man."

She added in a victim impact statement: "He adored his children. All he ever wanted to be was a dad. The moment he was murdered our world came crumbling down, my heart broke."

Ms. Griffiths said that when she got the call to say Mr. Scott had been killed, his boys were bouncing on their beds because he was due to visit them.

They still ask if they can go to see him in heaven, Ms. Griffiths said, and she finds notes under their pillows asking him to come back home.

Lucy Carnhill, mother of Mr. Scott’s young daughter, said the child "was his world."

She added: "The horror, shock, and disbelief will never go away. My life is consumed by grief. All I have now been memories and photos."

Lord Timpson, minister for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending, said: "This was a truly shocking crime, and my thoughts remain with Mr. Scott’s family, friends, and former colleagues.

"We know this trial has been deeply distressing for many, and we remain committed to ensuring our brave prison officers get the support they need.

"We will always work hand in hand with police to protect staff and pursue the toughest punishments for those who seek to cause them harm."

The trial heard that Mr. Scott had found the phone in Morgan’s cell at HMP Altcourse, a privately operated category B jail, in March 2020 and he was charged in April 2023.

Mr. Scott had left the Prison Service in 2021 and played no part as a witness in the prosecution.

Prison officer Sarah Williams admitted three offenses of misconduct in a public office in June 2023.

Morgan denied unauthorized possession of the mobile phone and a court hearing was scheduled for February 19, 2024 – 11 days after Mr. Scott was murdered.

The gun used in the murder has never been recovered.

David Wilson