THE man accused of killing Elle Edwards at a Wirral pub will stand trial for her murder in June this year.

Connor Chapman is also charged with possessing a sub-machine gun at The Lighthouse in Wallasey Village where Ms Edwards was killed in a shooting on Christmas Eve.

Chapman, 22, appeared at Wirral Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 13 charged with nine offences related to the incident on December 24 last year.

He appeared again at Liverpool Crown Court today (Monday, January 16) via video link from HMP Manchester.

Chapman, with long hair and wearing a black Nike jacket, spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.

The hearing, attended by a dozen members of the press, lasted around 10 minutes.

As well the murder of Ms Edwards, Chapman, of Houghton Road, Woodchurch, is charged with the attempted murder of Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, and the unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm of Harry Loughran, Nicholas Speed and Liam Carr.

In addition, Chapman is charged with possessing a converted Scorpion sub-machine gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He was also charged with handling stolen goods, a Mercedes A Class car, between December 22 and 26 last year.

No pleas were entered for any of the charges and a trial date was scheduled for June 7 this year, before the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, remanded Chapman into custody ahead of a further appearance before the same court on April 17.

The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.

Ms Edwards, a 26-year-old beautician, was fatally shot just before midnight but is not believed to have been the intended target of the attack, which left four men injured.

A 23-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was released on bail pending further inquiries.

Three other people were previously arrested in connection with the murder.

A 31-year-old man from Tranmere, Wirral, and a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry, Wirral, were held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and bailed pending further inquiries.

A 30-year-old man from Tranmere, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, was recalled to prison on licence.