The trial of Allen Morgan, 74, revealed that he had been having an affair on August 13, 1981, the day his wife Carol was found dead after being hacked to death at the convenience shop they both owned in Linslade, Bedfordshire.
The prosecution claimed that although Brighton resident Morgan was having an extramarital affair with his 75-year-old wife Margaret, he believed that financial difficulties prevented him from divorcing Carol.
Carol suffered fatal injuries to her body and skull from the killer—who has never been identified—whohacked at her with a heavy instrument, according to testimony given to Luton Crown Court.
A jury found Morgan guilty by a unanimous vote of conspiring to commit murder.
He was put on trial with his current wife, who was found not guilty despite being accused of plotting to kill.
Following Carol’s passing, Mrs. Morgan—then known as Margaret Spooner—moved in with Morgan and left her husband.
The court heard that the couple was married afterward and has been together ever since.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has stated that at the time of Carol’s death, there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against anyone involved in the case, and her husband was not regarded as a suspect.
After a police cold case team review, Bedfordshire Police detectives revived the case in 2018.