A FORMER soldier found guilty of a notorious murder says he expects to die in prison despite an investigation over a possible miscarriage of justice.

The case of martial arts expert Tony Bottrill is being reviewed by trainee lawyers from the Innocence Network UK (Inuk), which examines potential wrongful convictions.

The father-of-one was convicted of murdering drug dealer Bryan Scott, 26, in 2000.

Mr Scott was shot twice at close range with a shotgun at Kirkleatham Showground, near Redcar, east Cleveland, earlier that year.

Writing to The Northern Echo from his cell, Bottrill, 50, formerly of Redcar, said that if he was to “lie and admit his guilt”, he could be released within 14 years, but said his stance meant he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

He said: “I could, of course simply say I was guilty, do the pretend courses, say the right things and go home in another 12 to 14 years’ time – of course that would be a lie.

“Then again, the prison service, probation and psychology departments would say they had reformed me and my thinking.

“Tell the truth, as in my case, and you will die in jail.”

His sister, Julie, has provided documents from the trial to law students from Plymouth University.

The legal scheme was set up in the wake of miscarriages of justice such as the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six to investigate alleged cases of wrongful conviction.

His sister, who still lives in Redcar, said: “There has been many different lawyers looking through the documents over the years, but they might spot something that others have missed.”

Her brother was previously at high-security Frankland Prison, in Durham, but has since been moved to a jail in Portsmouth. At a failed appeal hearing against his conviction in 2005, Bottrill was represented by Redcar MP Vera Baird, who is helping his family push for him to be moved to a closer prison.

Police previously said they conducted a thorough investigation into the case.

A clear motive for Bottrill to shoot Mr Scott was never established in court. However, Bottrill had a relationship with the ex-wife of a drugs dealer said to be a rival of Mr Scott.

Among the evidence against Bottrill were death threat letters he was found to have sent to another man.

Two other letters were sent to police in which Bottrill appeared to blame the killing on this man.

After the former guardsman’s conviction, it was revealed that he had been convicted of manslaughter in 1977 when two gay men were killed in a flat in London.

Mr Scott’s mother, Helen Watson, has always been convinced of Bottrill’s guilt.