Elle Edwards co-accused 'cannot be guilty by association'

Elle Edwards was shot dead outside a Wirral pub just before midnight on Christmas Eve

The co-defendant of a man accused of murdering a woman outside a pub on Christmas Eve cannot be found guilty "by association", a jury has heard.

Connor Chapman, 23, is accused of killing Elle Edwards, 26, and injuring five others after opening fire outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral.

Thomas Waring, 20, is accused of assisting Mr Chapman and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Both men deny the charges.

Mr Waring is charged with assisting Mr Chapman by helping to burn out a stolen Mercedes used in the shooting, and with possessing a gun, which is alleged to have been taken to his home in Barnston, Wirral.

He chose not to give evidence in the trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Thomas Waring is accused of helping to burn out a stolen Mercedes following the killing

In his closing speech, defence barrister William England said: "There's nothing cowardly about a defendant choosing not to give evidence in a criminal trial."

He said the prosecution had failed to submit any motive as to why Mr Waring would get involved, other than that he "hangs around" with people on an estate where there are gang members.

He said: "There's no such offence as guilt by association in this country yet."

Summing up the case, Mr Justice Goose said the jury could regard the fact Mr Waring did not give evidence as support for the prosecution case, if they felt the case was sufficiently strong that he had no reason for not giving evidence other than because he had no answer that would stand up to cross-examination.

Mark Rhind KC, defending Mr Chapman, said the gunman could be one of a number of suspects.

Connor Chapman is accused of opening fire outside the Lighthouse pub on 24 December

Speaking about the clothing worn by the shooter, he said: "In that pool of 20 or 30 or 40 suspects, all will be wearing that similar scally-type uniform."

Jurors in the trial are expected to retire to start deliberations on Thursday.

Mr Chapman denies murdering Ms Edwards, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He also denies having a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Mr Waring denies possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender by helping Chapman dispose of a car.