Elias Morgan and Anthony Cleary deny murdering 33-year-old dad-of-three Lenny Scott
The murder trial of two men accused of fatally shooting father-of-three Lenny Scott has now entered its defence stage at Preston Crown Court.
Mr Scott, 33, was gunned down outside a gym on Peel Road in Skelmersdale on 8 February last year. He sustained catastrophic gunshot injuries and later died in the hospital despite emergency treatment.
The prosecution alleges that Elias Morgan, 35, of Highgate Street, and Anthony Cleary, 29, of Smithdown Lane, both from Edge Hill in Liverpool, were responsible for the killing. Both men were charged in June 2024 with Mr Scott’s murder. Cleary also faces a separate count of manslaughter. Both defendants deny the charges.
The trial, which opened on Tuesday 24 June, has been marked by delays. After several weeks of evidence from the prosecution, proceedings were paused for two weeks to accommodate juror holidays. The case resumed on Tuesday 19 August with the focus shifting to the defence.
High Court judge Mr Justice Goose is presiding over the trial, which is being closely followed by family, friends, and members of the public.
Embed from Getty ImagesDuring earlier stages of the trial, the jury heard details of how Mr Scott was attacked outside the gym, where he was confronted and fatally shot. Prosecutors described the attack as targeted and deliberate. The defence is now presenting its case, with one of the accused taking to the stand to give evidence.
The atmosphere in court has remained tense, with both defendants maintaining that they are not guilty of the offences. Their legal teams argue that the prosecution’s case does not sufficiently link them to the shooting.
The tragic death of Mr Scott has left his family devastated. In heartfelt tributes shared soon after his death, relatives described him as “the biggest, funniest and most lovable person.” They added: “He had such a big presence and would light up any room he walked into. His strength, laughter, hugs, sense of humour and banter were second to none.”
The case has drawn significant attention in Merseyside and Lancashire, not only because of the violent circumstances of Mr Scott’s death but also due to the ages of the defendants and the complexity of the charges.
The trial has also highlighted the challenges of managing a major court case over an extended period. The summer recess and juror availability contributed to the unusual two-week adjournment, which temporarily paused proceedings. With the defence now underway, jurors will be asked to weigh the credibility of the defendants’ evidence against the prosecution’s claims.
If found guilty of murder, Morgan and Cleary could face life sentences. For Cleary, the additional manslaughter charge introduces another possible outcome, depending on how the jury interprets his role in the events of that night.
As the trial continues, the family of Mr Scott remain determined to see justice served. Their presence in court has been a reminder of the personal tragedy behind the legal proceedings.
The Liverpool Echo has confirmed it will continue to provide updates directly from Preston Crown Court as the defence case unfolds and the trial moves towards its conclusion