Elle Edwards murder: Connor Chapman to serve minimum 48 years for her murder

Summary

Connor Chapman will serve a minimum of 48 years in prison for the murder of 26-year-old beautician Elle Edwards outside a pub in the Wirral on Christmas Eve
Edwards, an innocent bystander, was shot in the head twice when Chapman opened fire with a sub-machine gun as part of a gang feud
Chapman's co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, was sentenced to nine years for possessing a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender
In his sentencing remarks at Liverpool Crown Court, the judge labelled Chapman a "highly dangerous man" who "didn't care" who was hit when he opened fire
Edwards' family say they hope gunman Chapman "never sees Christmas again"

Live Reporting

Edited by Jamie Whitehead and James FitzGerald

Judge talks about destruction of evidencepublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Mr Justice Goose continues with his sentencing remarks, saying: "We have all watched the CCTV of the murder."
Elle Edwards was killed by Chapman's gunfire, while five others were injured.
Chapman then drove to Thomas Waring's home, to destroy evidence. The judge runs through the evidence of the case.
"You spent the days afterwards removing or destroying evidence that would identify you as the gunman."
He says the pair drove to a remote area and set fire to the car they used.
'What you did was as wicked as it was shocking'published at 15:00 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Image source, .
Mr Justice Goose begins delivering his sentencing remarks by saying that the Lighthouse pub was busy with revellers looking forward to Christmas Day on 24 December.
"What you did Connor Chapman was as wicked as it was shocking," he tells the court.
“You murdered Elle, bringing an end to her life, and caused serious injury and wounded others,” he says.
Chapman “obtained a sub-machine gun and prepared to fire all 12 bullets at close range,” the judge continues.
"You didn't care who else was killed... you are a highly dangerous man," he says.
Judge begins sentencing remarkspublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
The court video feed has now begun and the judge, Mr Justice Goose, has started his sentencing remarks for Connor Chapman.
Stay with us for live updates - you can also watch the feed from the court at the top of this page.
Just click the Play button.
Victim's father chews nails as mitigating factors put forwardpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
"He has never met one of his children,” Rhind continues, referring to Connor Chapman.
Elle's father Tim Edwards sits in the dock, chewing his fingernails, and stares down at the ground.
A family liaison officer from Merseyside Police who has helped the family since Elle’s death sits next to him.
Chapman's barrister Mark Rhind KC reminds the court that Thomas Cashman, who murdered schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbelli in Liverpool last year, did not receive a full-life term.
The defence lawyer of Thomas Waring then stands to give mitigation for Waring's own sentence.
”Age and antecedents," he says. "
He is still only 20. Two cannabis possession and supply convictions. We submit he should get a lesser sentence than the maximum as he had no use for the weapon when he possessed it.”
After finishing his remarks, the barrister sits down. Now the judge will now give his sentencing.
Defence tries to persuade judge not to give full-life termpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Mark Rhind KC is in a difficult position - trying to explain away his client’s actions when, during the trial, there was no remorse.
He is attempting to persuade the judge that he should stop short of sentencing Chapman to a full-life term.
'Full-life terms are usually given to people much older'published at 14:49 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
”Mitigation: perhaps his age? He is only 23," the defence barrister continues.
“People do not fully develop until the age of 25, until then they may not see the full consequence of their actions.
“Full-life terms are usually given to people much older.
“It is right to say that on the facts of this case Elle Edwards was not the target.
“It is likely he didn't even see she was there.
“I cannot suggest he has remorse. But he has attended today.
“Not doing so would have shown disrespect to Elle’s family and he has come to hear the heart-breaking statements read out.”
Two police officers in front of me stare incredulously at each other at hearing this.
There are cases even worse than this, defence sayspublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
”Nothing I say should be taken as an attempt to diminish what Connor Chapman did", Mark Rhind KC adds.
“But there are cases that are even worse than this.
“My lord has had to deal with more serious cases and so the focus isn't mitigation.
"This is not at the extreme edges of last resort, which call for a whole-life term.”
Defence lawyers begin mitigationpublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
The statements by the prosecution end.
Chapman's barrister Mark Rhind KC stands to give mitigation to the judge - the factors that could be considered to reduce the sentence.
“Listening to what the family’s reaction has been it is impossible to disagree with a single word that has been said.
"All cases of murder are dreadful. I accept there is significant aggravation."
Grandmother in tears as her statement read outpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Elle’s grandmother is outlining, in a written statement, stories about her time with Elle.
As she listens to her words being read to the court, she is in tears.
Another relative hugs her from behind, trying to console her.
“She was so very, very special to me and my best friend. If I were to die tomorrow the coroner would write on the death certificate, she died of a broken heart.”
We're hearing now from Elle's grandmotherpublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Elle’s grandmother has written a statement too: “I can’t think of a single word that describes Elle.
"I thought I’d tell you a couple of stories about her.
She called me queen, and I called her princess", her statement says.
Brother's statement continues: 'Christmas was our time'published at 14:42 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
The statement from Connor Edwards continues:
”Christmas was our time. We never missed a Christmas together.
"The fact it happened at this time of year is horrendous.
"I miss going into her room and having a laugh.
"Chapman has not only taken my sister away from us but watching the CCTV of her shooting has been brutal.
But nothing will take this family down. We have to carry on the best we can. My beautiful sister Elle Marlene Edwards I love you and miss you."
'I go to bed with a constant hit of grief'published at 14:39 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Many of Elle’s relatives in the public gallery are in tears.
Her father sits with his head in his hands.
We’re hearing a statement from her brother, Connor, who discusses the moments when he found out there had been a shooting and it became apparent Elle was involved.
“The days after were horrific, visiting her in the mortuary,” his statement says.
“She didn’t deserve this. Organising the funeral was the worst thing I have ever had to do.
“I go to bed with a constant hit of grief. Our lives have been destroyed".
Court hears words of Elle Edwards' brotherpublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
A statement is read from Connor Edwards, Elle’s big brother: “I last spoke to Elle on Christmas Eve. I wanted to know what the plans were for Christmas Day".
"Elle said she was in the Lighthouse (pub), she’d been there last year and wanted to go again.
"I told Elle to have a good night, we said we loved each other. They were the last words."
Victim's father again stares at Chapmanpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
"We never asked for this," the statement continues
Tim Edwards reaches for a box of tissues to wipe away tears.
He puts the tissue down and stares straight at Chapman in the dock.
'Elle will always be missing'published at 14:33 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Tim Edwards' statement continues: "Elle also loved the company of her grandparents in New Brighton.
"It was her second home. I hope nobody else has to go through what we are going through now and for the rest of our lives.
"We have been given a life sentence having committed no crime.
"Whenever we celebrate any event, Elle will always be missing.”
Elle's mum says her health has deterioratedpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
A statement by Tim Edwards continues by saying that Gaynor, Elle’s mum, has not been able to come to court.
The statement says that Gaynor asks: “Why have you done this? What drove you to do this to my daughter?
"I cannot accept she has gone. She looked after me.
"My health has deteriorated. I cannot put into words how much I love her.
"As an adult she was not afraid to take on a challenge.
"Just as her life was cut short she was reaching her peak and was at the happiest I ever saw her.
"The bond she has with her siblings was and is unbreakable."
Court hears statement from Elle Edwards' fatherpublished at 14:28 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
A statement from Elle Edwards' father Tim is read to the court: “My daughter was doing what everyone should be able to do.
"Her life was cut short. She was lost forever.
"She would always put others before herself.”
Edwards stares down at the floor while this is read to the court.
Not giving phone PIN was serious offence, prosecution allegespublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Waring pleaded guilty to an offence of refusing to release the PIN number of his phone.
The prosecution says this was a serious offence as it was done to thwart the prosecution of justice.
Sentence options for Waring outlinedpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
The maximum sentence for possession of a prohibited firearm is 10 years, the prosecution tells Liverpool Crown Court.
It says culpability is high because Waring was hiding the weapon for Chapman.
Assisting an offender means maximum term of 10 years, the prosecution adds.
Prosecution turns to Chapman's co-defendantpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 7 July 2023
Nick Garnett
Reporting from Liverpool Crown Court
Another of the precursor events was that Chapman’s brother was shot in Wirral with a Skorpion sub-machine gun - not the same one that was used in the shooting on Christmas Eve.
The prosecution turns to Waring. He is 20 years old.
It refers to previous convictions, including a suspended sentence for possession of cannabis when he was 18.
Waring was also fined for possessing cannabis on another date.