Elle Edwards' dad reflects a year on from daughter's senseless murder

12 months ago, his daughter, 26-year-old Elle, was out having a few festive drinks with friends at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, when she became the innocent victim of a violent feud between rival gangs on the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates.

Elle was shot twice in the head when Connor Chapman opened fire with a sub-machine gun, targeting two men who were standing near her as she smoked a cigarette.

Chapman was jailed for life with a minimum term of 48 years while his accomplice Thomas Waring was jailed for nine years for helping Chapman burn out a stolen Mercedes used in the shooting.

Four more people have since been charged in connection with her murder.

A 42-year-old man from Wallasey, a woman and man from Woodchurch, aged 33 and 54, and a 33-year-old woman from Birkenhead are accused of assisting an offender.

But while Elle's killer will spend this Christmas, and many others, languishing behind bars, Tim, is facing up to a first festive season without his daughter - something he admits will be difficult.

Elle Edwards (Image: Merseyside Police)

"There have been a lot of mixed emotions as the day has got closer," said Tim. "There's apprehension and sadness too because Elle won't be here but the family will all be together on Christmas Day. 

"I have my grandson who is four so I'm going to make a fuss of him - why should he miss out over Christmas? He doesn't know what's going on or what's happened.

"I want to try and keep it as normal as possible. Obviously there will be a time when we sit and celebrate Elle and reflect on what's happened and it's going to be sad but we have to keep going forward."

As anyone who has seen the pictures shared with the media of Tim and Elle together climbing, walking or enjoying the Christmas markets, father and daughter were incredibly close.

Elle Edwards (Image: Merseyside Police)

He said: "Christmases were always hectic, the same as everyone else, with last minute buys and me running over to town on Christmas Eve to get all the last minute presents.

"But it was full of fun and laughter and it's the one time of the year when you should all be together with your family and unfortunately there's quite a few of us this year for whom that's not going to happen. 

"I take solace in that - that I'm not alone and that there are other people and families in exactly the same situation as us. It makes you realise that you're part of this club that we didn't ask to be in."

One way how Tim has learnt to cope with his grief is to dedicate himself to volunteering and raising awareness of gun crime and its victims. 

Earlier this year he launched a GoFund me page called Elle's Army to raise money to establish a foundation in her name and he is also planning a series of fund-raising events in memory of the 26-year-old beautician.

Tim also joined actor and comedian John May on his walk from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise awareness of knife and gun crime on Merseyside and John's campaign, Weapons Down Gloves Up.

"We have lots of things planned for next year," he said. "I've signed up for the Marathon des Sables which is a 250km ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert in Morocco.  

"Elle's birthday is May 10 and we will have a gala for her - a great big party for her and a real celebration and we're going to organise a music festival too in New Brighton."

In the meantime, Tim has also been working delivering Christmas hampers to families who need them, on behalf of the charity Charlotte's Brightside, which helped him after Elle was murdered.

Tim Edwards helps out at Charlotte's Brightside (Image: Merseyside Police)

Charlotte's Brightside was set up following the death of 19-year-old Wallasey teenager Charlotte Churchill died in April 2011 when the car in which she was a passenger hit a tree.

Charlotte's mum, Angie, was determined to fundraise in her memory and eventually went on to create Brightside, named after Charlotte's favourite song by The Killers.

Based on Hope Street in New Brighton, the charity also runs a 'social supermarket' and on Thursday, December 21, Tim was one of many volunteers mucking in to deliver food and toys to know those who need them.

"Angie lost her daughter and obviously I lost Elle so we have quite a bit in common," he said. "The girls here have helped me out a lot this year - they've been great and make a real fuss of me. Helping them out is the least I can do. 

"Sometimes I take a second to reflect on the support I've had this year and it's been amazing and overwhelming. 

"I think if I hadn't have thrown myself into things like this you would've seen the flip side of the coin which would just involve sitting around and that's not me. It was never going to end well if I took that option so I'm more than happy to keep going. 

"If I do something I'll throw myself into it and obviously it has taken my mind off things."

Angie herself is full of admiration for Tim and the work he has done with the charity this year.

"Tim just gets me," she said. "I know I can say ridiculous things about Charlotte and people will think I've lost it but Tim will get it. 

"Charlotte died 12 years ago but Tim is only coming up to the first anniversary of Elle's death and that's the hardest year I think. 

"It doesn't actually get that much easier but it changes and Tim and I have that bond that no one really wants to have. 

"I know Tim will be having his ups and downs, especially at this time of year, but he is phenomenal and I can't believe what he has done - it's amazing and I'm so pleased that we've come together."

Angie Churchill and Tim Edwards (Image: Jamie Bowman, Newsquest)

Recently, the Lighthouse pub, where Elle was murdered, announced they would open their doors this Christmas Eve but close early at around 11pm.

In a statement, owners Greene King, said: “Elle’s death continues to resonate with all of us nearly a year on and our deepest condolences remain with her family and friends for their unimaginable loss.

"After discussions between our pub team and the local community, we felt the right decision was for The Lighthouse to remain a place for everyone to be together as so many people were deeply affected by what happened.”

"I think it's pure greed," said Tim, who said the pub's owners have failed to engage with him or other members of Elle's family. 

"I've spoken to Greene King and spoken to the landlady who wasn't very helpful and in my opinion that pub should not be open. If I had my way that pub would be gone. 

"Greene King reached out in the beginning and offered to pay for therapy - that's the only thing they ever did. They never contacted me personally and the pub has never contacted me. 

"I'm the father of Elle and her spokesperson and they've never approached me - why are they opening on Christmas Eve? It was awful what happened and to put money ahead of respect I find abhorrent.

"They want to make as much money as they can on their busiest night of the year and they're not bothered about anything else in my eyes and I have made those feelings clear."

As for Tim's Christmas Eve, there will be no celebrations or excited anticipation this year.

"I'll probably be early to bed to be honest," he added. "It's going to be sad."