The murder trial of Elias Morgan has brought to light a tangled web of corruption, threats, and tragedy within the British prison system, culminating in the shocking killing of former prison officer Lenny Scott. The events, which unfolded over several years, have left a community reeling and raised urgent questions about safety, oversight, and the personal toll of integrity in the face of corruption.
On February 8, 2024, outside a gym on Peel Road in Skelmersdale, 33-year-old Lenny Scott was gunned down, shot six times by an assailant. The brutal murder, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, marked the devastating climax of a story that began years earlier within the walls of HMP Altcourse. Scott, a father of three and a former prison officer, had been caught up in a dangerous game after he exposed an illicit affair between inmate Elias Morgan and prison officer Sarah Williams.
The roots of the tragedy can be traced back to March 26, 2020, when Scott discovered a mobile phone illegally held by Morgan in his cell. According to Manchester Evening News, the phone contained incriminating evidence of a sexual relationship between Morgan and Williams, who had started her job at Altcourse in early 2020. Not only was the possession of a phone in prison a criminal offense, but the contents of the device threatened to unravel a much deeper misconduct.
Faced with exposure, Morgan attempted to bribe Scott with £1,500 to keep quiet about the phone and the affair. Scott, standing by his duty, refused the offer. The refusal, however, set off a series of increasingly sinister threats. Morgan, as recounted in court, warned Scott, "I’ll bide my time, but I promise I will get you." The threats escalated: Morgan made a gun gesture, threatened to blow up Scott’s home with his family inside, and even named Scott’s children, making the intimidation chillingly personal.
Feeling the noose tighten, Scott contacted the police, telling a call handler, "I’m in fear for my family’s life." The threats were not empty, as the subsequent events would prove. The iPhone, once examined, confirmed what Scott had feared: it revealed a sexual relationship between Morgan and Williams. This discovery not only implicated the two in misconduct but also set off a domino effect that would eventually lead to Scott’s murder.
Sarah Williams, the prison officer at the heart of the scandal, was soon the focus of a major investigation. The Liverpool Echo reports that Williams, of Kingsway, Widnes, was found to have communicated with multiple prisoners whose mobile phones were recovered during cell searches. The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s anti-corruption department was called in, and Williams was arrested at her home on July 8, 2020.
The charges against Williams were serious: three counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of causing a computer to perform a function with intent to secure unauthorized access to data. She appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on December 21, 2023, where she pleaded guilty to all four charges. Williams was sentenced to 18 months in prison, a stark fall from grace for someone once tasked with upholding the law. Her relationships with three prisoners, including Morgan, were found to have far-reaching consequences, the ripple effects of which would be felt for years.
As the investigation into Williams unfolded, the shadow it cast over the prison grew. The case highlighted not only individual failings but also broader systemic vulnerabilities. The ease with which contraband phones were smuggled in, the ability of inmates to form illicit relationships with staff, and the apparent lack of early intervention all contributed to a sense of unease about the safety and security of both staff and prisoners.
Fast forward to August 29, 2025: after a gripping trial at Preston Crown Court, an 11-person jury—eight men and three women—found Elias Morgan, now 35 and from Edge Hill, guilty of murdering Lenny Scott. The verdict came after five hours and 24 minutes of deliberations. Morgan, for his part, denied the murder, claiming he was at a house in Liverpool, handing over a chow chow dog to an associate at the time of the shooting. The jury, however, was unconvinced by his alibi.
The trial laid bare the devastating consequences of corruption and the dangers faced by those who dare to stand against it. Scott’s actions, though motivated by a sense of duty, ultimately cost him his life. The court heard how the exposure of Williams’ affair with Morgan triggered a campaign of intimidation and violence that spiraled out of control.
In the aftermath of the verdict, emotions ran high. Scott’s parents, Neil and Paula, were seen embracing detective chief inspector Lee Wilson, the lead investigator on the case. The sense of loss and injustice was palpable—not just for the family, but for the wider community and Scott’s former colleagues.
Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, addressed the outcome with a statement that underscored both the gravity of the crime and the ongoing commitment to support those who serve in the prison system. "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 sentencing of Morgan is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, where he is expected to face a life sentence. For many, the case stands as a stark warning of the dangers that can arise when corruption takes root and the courage required to confront it, even at great personal risk.
The murder of Lenny Scott has left a lasting scar, but it has also sparked a renewed focus on integrity, oversight, and the need for robust protections for those working within the prison system. As the dust settles, the hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to meaningful change, ensuring that no one else has to pay such a heavy price for doing the right thing.
