Elle Edwards' family yell 'rat' and 'scumbag' at killer in angry court outbursts
Elle Edwards' family shouted "scumbag" and "rat" as her killer was sentenced to life behind bars today.
Connor Chapman, 23, murdered innocent bystander Elle, 26, when he opened fire on rival gang members with a submachine gun at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Merseyside.
Her heartbroken family revealed the caring beautician was planning to cook Christmas dinner for her family for the first time that year.
But instead of celebrating with their cherished Elle, they had to open presents "traumatised and numb" without her.
Sentencing Chapman to life imprisonment with a minimum of 48 years, Mr Justice Goose described Chapman’s crimes as "wicked and shocking" today.
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Elle's family could be heard shouting "scumbag" and "rat" as he was sent down from the dock.
A jury found him unanimously guilty of Elle's murder on Thursday alongside his criminal accomplice, Thomas Waring, 20.
Connor Chapman has been sentenced to life behind bars (Liverpool Echo)
Elle was shot dead at The Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Merseyside (Liverpool Echo)Waring was sentenced to nine years behind bars after helping Chapman dispose of evidence.
Speaking after the hearing, Elle's father Tim Edwards said: "The amount of people involved in this investigation from day one has been remarkable and they did not give up.
"They were relentless in achieving the goal which was to get justice for Elle and catch the killer. Thankfully now he’s got 48 years and hopefully he never sees Christmas again.
"If I'm lucky enough to still be around for a long time, I will do my best to make sure he never comes out.
"Things need to change and we've made a start with that.
"I think, 48 years, if you think of picking up a gun now you should think twice about it."
During the month-long trial, the court heard how Chapman had taken a Skorpion submachine gun and opened fire at the crowds, killing Elle and injuring five others.
He drove a stolen black Mercedes and laid in wait for his intended targets, two members of a rival gang.
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The court was told that burglar and drug dealer Chapman began offending when he was just 14 and had been hauled before the court 20 times for 45 different offences in his life.
Now the killer will be 71 years old before he becomes eligible for parole.
Elle's father Tim Edwards outside Liverpool Crown Court (PA)The family cried and comforted each other as their powerful impact statements were read to the court by prosecution barrister Nigel Power KC.
Elle's mum, Gaynor, was too heartbroken to attend court, but a statement written by her said: "First of all I want to know why you have done this?
"Since Elle has been gone I have never been the same. I can’t accept that she is gone and I still think she will come home.
"Elle looked after me as I suffered with my health and since Elle has been gone my health has deteriorated and I cannot put into words how much I miss and love her."
Elle's older brother Connor slapped his hand on the desk and shouted "goodbye lad" as Chapman was led to the cells.
Moments before, the court heard Connor's own impact statement.
He said: "In the early hours of Christmas day I was awoken to a flurry of calls and text messages saying that a girl had been shot in the head at The Lighthouse. I soon discovered that this girl was Elle.
"I remember driving to my dad's to tell him what had happened, I was absolutely petrified, how was I going to tell him?
"Dad had been waiting for Elle on Christmas Eve to go to his to wrap Christmas presents. I got to his house and told him that Elle had been shot in the head and that it didn’t look good.
"We went to the hospital to find out that Elle was no longer with us, our worlds fell apart.
"I returned home to our then three-year-old son just waking up on Christmas morning and opening his presents, having to sit there with a smile on my face for him.
"I can’t explain how I felt, I felt numb and traumatised."
Chapman was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today (Sky News)Two weeks before the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Tim returned to Greece where he had taken Elle just months before her death.
He revisited beaches, restaurants and other spots where they had made treasured memories together during the holiday.
Speaking to BBC breakfast on a boat in the Mediterranean, he said: "Here right in this cove.
"It was very much like today, the girls were jumping in and out of the water."
But fighting back tears, Tim said you "never know what’s around the corner".
The devastated dad said he "couldn’t begin to understand" Chapman’s callous actions on what should have been a night of celebrations.
He said: "Who has that thought and thinks they will get away with it? This is not Grand Theft Auto, this is real life.
"That thing who pulled the trigger, I hope he rots in hell."
During the trip, Tim returned to a wall where he took "a beautiful photograph" of his girls together and told the programme this is like his therapy.
He said: "I suppose this is a bit like that isn’t it, it beats sitting in someone’s office talking about how you feel and how bad things are."
Determined that callous Chapman’s actions will not "break him", Tim hopes to set up a foundation in Elle’s name and continue her caring legacy.
He said: "I want to be able to talk about Elle, it doesn’t make it easier but it helps.
"It comes in waves and it just hits you. It comes to the point where it would break most people but it won’t break me."
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