Allen Morgan, 74, of Stanstead Crescent, Brighton, was sentenced today (date) at Luton Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years, after being found guilty of conspiracy to murder his wife, Carol Morgan, following a nine-week trial.
Carol Morgan was brutally killed in a violent attack on 13 August 1981. During the trial, it was revealed that Allen Morgan had orchestrated her killing and financially profited from her death.
Despite his involvement, Allen Morgan continued living on the south coast with Carol’s children and his mistress, Margaret, whom he later married. Margaret, who stood trial with him, was cleared of involvement.
The breakthrough in the case came thanks to the efforts of retired Detective Superintendent Carl Foster, who oversaw a cold case review into Carol’s death and eventually brought Morgan to justice. Foster said, “For over four decades, Carol’s murder went unsolved. Morgan will now face a life sentence, and we hope he will finally provide the truth about the killer.”
The murder investigation had initially stalled in the early 1980s, despite diligent work by retired Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Prickett. However, in 2018, the Cold Case Investigation Unit revisited the case, finding new evidence that led to Morgan’s conviction. One key witness, Jane Bunting, testified that Morgan had discussed hiring someone to kill Carol.
Retired DCS Prickett expressed gratitude for the Cold Case team’s efforts, stating, “This case has shown that no murder investigation is ever closed. Thanks to both the original detectives and modern-day investigators, Allen Morgan will no longer walk free.”
Lawyer Shan Saunders of the Crown Prosecution Service added, “Carol’s family has finally seen justice after 40 years. The case was built on witness testimonies, with one crucial account revealing Morgan’s role in arranging Carol’s murder.”
This case serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of justice can take years, but with relentless investigation, even the most cold-blooded crimes can be solved.