Man who hired hitman to kill wife and run off with lover over 40 years ago jailed for life

29 July 2024, 12:03 | Updated: 29 July 2024, 12:19

Allen Morgan has been jailed for life, to serve a minimum term of 22 years
Allen Morgan has been jailed for life, to serve a minimum term of 22 years. Picture: Police

By Flaminia Luck

A man who hired a hitman to kill his wife over four decades ago will spend at least 22 years behind bars.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Allen Morgan, from Brighton, plotted to murder his wife Carol so he could start a new life with his lover.

Detectives originally thought she was the victim of a burglary when her body was discovered in Linslade in Bedfordshire in 1981.

The 36-year-old was found dead in the shop she ran with her husband after being attacked.

Mr Justice Martin Spencer handed down the sentence at Luton Crown Court.

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Margaret Morgan, 74 and Allen Morgan, 73 appearing at Luton Crown Court, where they are charged with conspiracy to murder
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Margaret Morgan, 74 and Allen Morgan, 73 appearing at Luton Crown Court, where they are charged with conspiracy to murder. Picture: Alamy

At a previous hearing, a court heard Morgan took his step-children to the cinema on the night Carol was murdered.

Mr Justice Martin Spencer said Morgan was "not particularly close" to the children.

"The trip to the cinema was organised by you to give yourself an alibi for that evening, when you knew Carol was to be murdered," the judge continues.

"It also made sure the coast was clear for the murderer to perpertrate the crime."

Read more: ‘We have been robbed’: Family pays tribute to ‘special’ mum dead after being found seriously injured during dog walk

Read more: Lawyer ‘steps aside’ from representing family of man kicked by cop at Manchester airport - after new video emerged

When the sentence was announced, there was a cry of "yes" from the public gallery.

Theshout came from Carol Morgan's first husband, Richard Curtis.

Allen Morgan's now wife - Margaret - watched as he was taken away to begin his lengthy sentence.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Angela

Angela Rayner faces calls on whether Army could be deployed to Birmingham to help collect bins during strike

John Lees

Teacher who crashed car into tree on way to school after drinking half bottle of wine avoids ban from teaching

LBC's Tom Swarbrick headed to Birmingham to investigate the bin strikes

LBC's Tom Swarbrick investigates the Birmingham bin strike as 'mountains of rubbish' fill the streets

Neighbours rushed to the terraced house after a gunman fired into its living room on Sunday.

Horror video shows moment ‘gunman shoots dad, 60, dead through downstairs window’ in broad daylight

Police have launched an urgent search for missing girl, who was last seen 24 hours ago in Stoke-on-Trent.

Urgent hunt for missing schoolgirl, 12, after she didn't return home last night

A plastic surgeon has been found guilty of attempting to murder a fellow doctor

Plastic surgeon guilty of attempting to murder colleague he wanted 'out of the way'

Blondie, 1979. Clockwise from top left, guitarist Chris Stein, singer Debbie Harry, bass player Nigel Harrison, drummer Clem Burke, guitarist Frank Infante and keyboard player Jimmy Destri

Tributes pour in as Blondie star dies aged 70 after private battle with cancer

Seven people were taken to hospital following the blaze

Seven people taken to hospital and eight homes evacuated after fire breaks out at block of flats

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a public inquiry into the Southport murders after three young girls were killed last July.

Inquiry launched into Axel Rudakubana's Southport triple-murder

Headteacher Anthony John Felton pleaded guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent

'Spectacular fall from grace': Headteacher who attacked deputy faces ‘inevitable’ prison sentence

Belgrave Road in Pimlico, London.

Fury as Labour-run Westminster council plots to ‘seize 11,000 empty homes’

Ivan Juric

Ivan Juric leaves Southampton after record-breaking Premier League relegation

Exclusive
Sadiq Khan has told LBC he won't take any action after a video emerged of a man taking crack cocaine on the Underground.

Sadiq Khan says 'people shouldn't break the law' after man filmed taking crack cocaine on the Tube

Emergency ambulances waiting outside the Whittington Hospital in Archway, Islington, London, UK

Patients miss vital prescription medicine while waiting in A&E - with long waiting times making things worse

Outrage as rescued surfer sets up fundraiser for new wetsuit - rather than RNLI

Outrage as rescued surfer sets up fundraiser for new wetsuit - rather than RNLI

Police officer driving van that followed two teens before fatal e-bike crash will not face charges

Police officer driving van that followed two teens before fatal e-bike crash will not face charges