Face of man accused of gunning down Elle, 26, on Xmas Eve
THE man accused of killing a beautician in a pub on Christmas Eve appeared in court yesterday.
Connor Chapman, 22, was charged with nine offences, including gunning down 26-year-old Elle Edwards.
Wirral magistrates were told she was killed with a Skorpion submachine gun, a Czech-made weapon from the Cold War era. Described by her family as ‘our beautiful, bright star’, Miss Edwards was partying with friends at the Lighthouse Inn in Wallasey Village, Wirral, when she was killed.
As well as her murder, Chapman is accused of the attempted murders of Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Harry Loughran, Nicholas Speed and Liam Carr. The further charges are possessing a sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life or enable others to do so at the Lighthouse on Christmas Eve and possession of 9mm ammunition with intent to endanger life. Both offences fall under the Firearms Act of 1968.
Chapman, of Woodchurch, Birkenhead, is also accused of handling a stolen Mercedes A-class car between December 22 and 26. Sporting long, wavy brown hair and wearing a grey, prison-issue tracksuit, he was flanked in the dock by two security officers.
He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the three-minute hearing. No pleas were entered. Magistrate Susie Haggstrom remanded Chapman in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.
In their tribute, Elle’s family described her as ‘the glue that held this big family together’. They added: ‘Her laugh was infectious, anyone who was around her had a good time, she loved her life and had so many amazing plans for the future. She was only just getting started.’
Merseyside Police yesterday appealed for CCTV, dashcam and mobile phone footage.
Its officers have arrested four other suspects in connection with Elle’s murder.