Murder accused made threats to prison officer who was later shot, trial told

A MAN accused of the murder of a prison officer who found an illicit phone allegedly told him 'he would bide his time, but he would get him', a court has heard.

- BY PATRICK EDRICH, PAUL BRITTON

Elias Morgan is one of two men on trial accused of the murder of dad-of-three Lenny Scott, who was fatally injured when he was shot by a gun man wearing a hi-vis jacket outside a gym on Peel Road in Skelmersdale on February 8 last year.

Opening the case against Morgan and co-defendant Anthony Cleary, Alex Leach KC told the court on Tuesday that Mr Scott was working as a prison officer at HMP Altcourse when he searched Morgan's cell and found an illicit phone.

The court heard not only was possession of the phone a criminal offence, but 'Morgan knew there was evidence on it which would lead to the discovery of a sexual relationship between him and a female prison officer.

After trying and failing to convince Mr Scott, 33, to not report the phone, Mr Leach alleged Morgan carried out a campaign of intimidation. Mr Scott told his family that Morgan said 'I'll bide my time, but I promise I will get you' before making a gun gesture towards him, the court heard.

Mr Leach said Mr Scott was 'visibly frightened' and told his former partner, Lucy Carnill, the mum of his young daughter, that Morgan had threatened him that his 'home would be blown up with his family inside and that, to reinforce the threat, Elias Morgan had named his children.'

Mr Scott also gave similar accounts to his mum Paula Scott and his then partner Lucy Griffiths, the court heard.

Four days later Mr Scott, who was also the father of twins, called the police and told a call handler 'I'm in fear for my family's life.' The jury at Preston Crown Court heard he also reported the 'threats' to the Prison Service, alleging that Morgan had asked him 'how much to get that nicking squashed and lose the phone' and that his family would be hurt if he did not 'drop the nicking'.