A former jail guard was shot lifeless in ‘retaliation’ after he uncovered a bootleg relationship between a convict and a feminine officer, a jury heard on Tuesday.
Lenny Scott, who was the daddy of twins, was shot six instances exterior a fitness center on February 8 final yr by a gunman wearing a hi-vis jacket.
The roots of the 33-year-old’s killing lay in his former job at Altcourse jail in Liverpool almost 4 years earlier, a homicide trial jury was advised.
Mr Scott had searched inmate Elias Morgan’s cell and located a cell phone on March 26, 2020, Preston Crown Court docket was advised.
Not solely was possession of the cellphone a felony offence, however Morgan knew it contained proof which might expose his sexual relationship with jail officer Sarah Williams, prosecutor Alex Leach KC stated.
Morgan advised Mr Scott to ‘balls up the paperwork’ and even supplied him £1,500 to not report it, jurors have been advised.
However the jail officer submitted the paperwork – and from that second ‘Elias Morgan advised Lenny Scott that he would get him, he stated he would bide his time, however that he would get him’.
Mr Leach advised jurors that on February 8, 2024, Mr Scott was leaving a fitness center in Skelmersdale, Lancashire ‘when he was approached by a person sporting a high-visibility jacket and carrying a handgun’.
Lenny Scott (pictured), who was the daddy of twins, was shot six instances exterior a fitness center on February 8 final yr by a gunman wearing a hi-vis jacket
The previous guard was allegedly killed for exposing jail officer Sarah Williams’s (pictured) illicit relationship
Mr Scott had searched inmate Elias Morgan’s (pictured) cell and located a cell phone on March 26, 2020, Preston Crown Court docket was advised
‘The person shot him, six instances, to the pinnacle and physique,’ he stated.
‘Lenny Scott died of his accidents.
‘The homicide was, the prosecution says, an act of retaliation.’
He advised jurors that the proof would present that Morgan ‘orchestrated’ the homicide and ‘pulled the set off himself’.
Co-defendant Anthony Cleary ‘performed a supporting position’ through the use of a van to ship an electrical bike utilized by the gunman, he added.
The court docket heard within the days after Mr Scott discovered the cellphone, he reported being threatened by Morgan.
He advised his father that Morgan had stated phrases to the impact of ‘I’ll bide my time, however I promise I’ll get you’ earlier than making a gun gesture in the direction of him.
A ‘visibly frightened’ Mr Scott additionally advised his former accomplice that Morgan had threatened him that his ‘house could be blown up together with his household inside’.
The roots of the 33-year-old’s killing lay in his former job at Altcourse jail (pictured) in Liverpool almost 4 years earlier, a homicide trial jury was advised
4 days later he advised a police name hander: ‘I am in concern for my household’s life.’
The jury heard he additionally reported the ‘threats’ to the Jail Service, saying Morgan had advised him his household could be harm if he didn’t ‘drop’ the unlawful cellphone matter.
As a substitute the cellphone was examined and Morgan was arrested, later being charged with unauthorised possession of the cell phone.
Williams, the officer with whom he’d had a relationship, later admitted three offences of misconduct in a public officer and a pc misuse offence.
Morgan pleaded not responsible and his case was adjourned till February 19 – 11 days after Mr Scott was killed.
Jurors have been advised that cell phone proof reveals the 2 males spent January 3 as a ‘day of reconnaissance’ as a part of the plan to kill Mr Scott.
They visited areas together with the world of his house in addition to gyms he previously and at the moment attended.
The court docket heard Mr Scott had been dismissed from the Jail Service in 2021 after he punched a prisoner within the face in an unrelated incident.
Morgan, now 35, and Cleary, 29, each of Edge Hill, Liverpool, each deny homicide.
Cleary additionally denies a second depend of manslaughter.
The trial continues.
