As Elle Edwards’ killer was finally brought to justice, her family taunted him in the courtroom.
The beautician was killed outside a Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve, with Connor Chapman being sentenced to 48 years for the crime on Friday (July 7).
Jeers then filled Liverpool Crown Court, with Edwards’ family shouting ‘goodbye lad’, ‘scumbag’ and ‘rat’ as the gunman was taken away.
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Last December, Chapman fired 12 shots in the crowded Lighthouse pub in the Wallasey Village, Wirral as people celebrated Christmas.
Having committed the horrific act using Skorpion sub-machine gun, he escaped in a stolen Mercedes – leading to an extensive manhunt by police.
The 23-year-old was charged with the murder of Edwards, as well as a number of other crimes including two counts of attempted murder and two counts of wounding with intent.
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He was also charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as possession of a gun and ammunition with the intent to endanger life.
Also sentenced was Thomas Waring, who was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender – he will now spend nine years in prison.
Tragically, the court heard how Edwards was not the intended victim but was caught in the crossfire of a violent gang feud.
Chapman had originally been after Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, who were both seriously injured during the Christmas Eve attack.
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Other victims included Harry Loughran, Liam Carr and Nicholas Speed – who were all unconnected to the gang and injured during the horrific crime.
After the sentencing, Tim Edwards, father of Elle, told the press that it was a ‘big relief’ that Chapman had been convicted.
“We’ve been through hell and we deserve now to be given a life back that we had before, which will never be the same,” he added: “It’s now a new chapter, it’s a new beginning for our family.”
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“It’s the worst day, but the best of the worst days.”
Detective Superintendent Paul Grounds also spoke about the case, calling Chapman a ‘dangerous and ruthless individual’.
He said: “Connor Chapman knew exactly what he was doing when he left his home address on December 24, getting in a stolen car in possession of a Skorpion machine pistol.
“He drove to the Lighthouse pub where he spent a number of hours there before finding a car parking space that gave him a real clear view of who was outside.
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“He then left his car with no regard for anybody else, intent on firing that gun at his intended targets, Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, with not a care of what would happen to anybody else who was stood outside of the pub.”
Katherine Sidnell