Man jailed for life for murder of former prison officer in Skelmersdale
Lenny Scott was shot outside a gym last year.
Last updated 2nd Sep 2025
A man will spend over 40 years in prison for the murder of a former prison officer in Skelmersdale.
33-year-old dad-of-three Lenny Scott was shot outside a gym, in February 2024.
Emergency services attended the scene and found Mr Scott, who was from Prescot, with serious gunshot injuries.
He died later in hospital.
35-year-old Elias Morgan from Smithdown Lane in Edge Hill in Liverpool, was found guilty of his murder, following a trial at Preston Crown Court.
He was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 45 years, although that was brought down to 43 and a half years, taking into account his time already spent in custody.
Passing sentence Mr Justice Goose told the defendant:
"This murder was a carefully planned, revenge killing of a prison officer. He was loved, respected and made his family proud."
Morgan first tried to bribe Mr Scott, at the time working at HMP Altcourse, Merseyside, offering him £1,500 to not report the finding of an illicit phone found in his cell.
When he refused and reported the phone, Morgan threatened his victim's family before vowing revenge, telling Mr Scott, "I'll bide my time" and making a gun gesture.
Almost four years later, after Morgan had served his sentence and Mr Scott had left the Prison Service, Morgan carried out the threat.
He shot Mr Scott six times to the head and body before fleeing the scene on an electric bike, his trial was was told.
Wendy Logan, deputy head of CPS North West's complex casework unit, said:
"Lenny Scott was a devoted father who had bravely upheld his duty when working as a prison officer by reporting an illicit phone he found in Elias Morgan's cell in 2020.
"He did so in the face of attempts at bribery and also threats and intimidation by Morgan - and his commitment to public service will not be forgotten.
"Morgan - driven by revenge and believing he was above the law - carried out a cold-blooded murder.
"We were determined to deliver justice and see Morgan brought to book for his evil crime - and our case set out in clear terms how he planned and carried out his callous act.
"Our thoughts remain with Lenny's family - particularly his three young children - and all those who cared for him as they deal with his loss."