A frail pensioner plotted to kill his wife in their corner shop, his guilty verdict bringing an end to a murder conspiracy investigation spanning more than four decades.

Allen Morgan, 73, tried to create a “cast-iron” alibi by taking Carol Morgan’s two children to the cinema while a paid hitman robbed and murdered her.

Allen, who now lives in Woodingdean with his now-wife Margaret, was convicted of conspiracy to murder Carol more than 40 years after her death in 1981.

Margaret Morgan was cleared of the same charge after six days of deliberations.

The court previously heard from Carol Morgan’s son Dean who said Allen took him and sister Jane to the cinema on August 13, 1981.

Dean, who was 14 at the time, said his mum was serving a customer at her corner shop in Linslade, near Luton, and said: “Cheerio” when they left.

In his witness statement Dean said they went to the Odeon in Dunstable Road, Luton, where they paid £4 to go to Screen 3 to see Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger and The Super Snooper, which was about a policeman with special powers.

(Image: Bedfordshire Police)

Speaking via a video link, Dean said: “I remember seeing the Sinbad film. I don’t remember seeing the other film.”

The three left the cinema at about ten past ten, arriving home between 10.30pm and 10.45pm.

On their return his stepfather Allen told him to go upstairs. Dean said he heard him on the phone downstairs and he then rang a friend to come and collect himself and Jane.

Allen, who walks with a stick, and Margaret Morgan, of Stanstead Crescent, Woodingdean,  denied conspiracy to murder, with others unknown, between 1 January 1981 and 14th August 1981.

After six days of deliberation the jury found Allen guilty and Margaret not guilty.

Bedfordshire Police's DSI Carl Foster said: “Carol was killed in a frenzied and sustained attack, suffering horrific injuries which cruelly cut short her life.

“Over the last four decades methods of gathering evidence have changed and improved, but the key in this case has been a change in people’s allegiances and loyalties. As a result, the re-investigation relied on good old-fashioned detective work, retracing the evidence obtained in 1981 and revisiting numerous witnesses.

“Carol was effectively erased from all memory, including those of her own two children, who have grown up without their mother, being raised by the man responsible for her death. This trial has had a significant impact on them, as well as the numerous witnesses who have given evidence, and I am grateful for their bravery and support following what was a truly traumatic period of their lives.

“Bringing this case to justice has been the right thing to do. Anyone capable of committing such a brutal crime should not be allowed to live freely among our society.

“Allen Morgan has had more than 40 years of freedom that Carol will never have. He has today finally faced justice for the role he played in her murder.

“In the absence of a confession, we may never know who carried out the physical act of murdering Carol. However, we will do all in our power to secure new evidence and bring them to justice.”

Retired DCSI Brian Prickett, who led the original investigation for Bedfordshire Police between 1981 and 1983, said: “Carol Morgan’s murder was vicious and the image of the scene will remain etched in my memory forever.

“The fact this case remained undetected for over four decades has remained a thorn in the side of all the officers who worked on the case. The original investigation spanned two years and even after this time was frequently reviewed. It was a meticulously run operation, with multiple lines of enquiry even before DNA science and other technological advances that we know in policing today.

“I am grateful to the Cold Case Investigation Unit for resurrecting the investigation and bringing Carol’s murder before a jury, and I have given the proceedings my full support.

“I hope that the result will bring some closure to those who knew and loved Carol.”

The judge, Mr Justice Martin Spencer, said he would sentence Allen Morgan on July 31. He was remanded in custody.