Elle Edwards' dad punches the air as killer is found guilty of murder

Tim Edwards and other family members were heard to shout "yes" as the jury recorded guilty verdicts to all counts against the pair following the shooting of Ms Edwards outside The Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village on Christmas Eve last year. 

Following a 16-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Chapman, 23, of Houghton Road, Woodchurch, was found guilty of the murder of Ms Edwards, attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause GBH and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of handling stolen goods in relation to the Mercedes car used on the night of the shooting.

Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, with members of his family, including his mum (left), outside Liverpool Crown Court after Connor Chapman was found guilty of her murder (Image: PA Wire / Images)

Thomas Waring, 20, of Private Drive in Barnston, was found guilty of possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender in relation to the murder.

Sentencing will take place tomorrow, Friday, July 7.

Mr Edwards attended every day of the gruelling trial and had listened intently as his daughter, 26, was fatally wounded after being shot while standing outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey at just before midnight on Christmas Eve last year.

After firing the gun Chapman left the scene in a stolen Mercedes which was later found burnt out. He was arrested on January 10 this year in a supermarket in Wales.

Mr Edwards punched the air as he left he court and was hugged by friens, family members and well-wishers.

Earlier as Chapman and Waring were taken down, Mr Edwards was heard to shout "you coward". 

Speaking after the verdicts, senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent, Paul Grounds, said: “Chapman has continued to deny his involvement in Elle’s death forcing her family to endure the ordeal of a trial where they have had to relive over and over the last moments of her life.

"His cowardly actions on that night rightly shocked the whole of Merseyside and the UK. To fire at his intended targets while they were stood outside in a crowd shows the arrogance and contempt he had for anyone else.

“He then tried to evade justice by taking himself off to Wales where he was eventually detained two weeks after Elle’s murder.

“He has continued to deny his guilt throughout the trial but the jury has seen through his lies and righty convicted him.

“I am pleased that we have secured justice for Elle and her family and that a dangerous man has been removed from the streets of Merseyside.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Elle’s family who throughout this whole investigation and the trial have remained dignified and composed despite being forced to relive the horrific events of Christmas Eve.  I hope that now they can start to properly grieve their loss.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the investigation team for their continued hard work and commitment and to the Crown Prosecution Service and in particular Nigel Power KC and Katy Appleton for successful prosecution of the case.”