Dad of murdered Elle Edwards, 26, shot dead on Christmas Eve ‘feels sick’ after killer’s co-defendant is released early
THE DAD of murdered beautician Elle Edwards has said he "feels sick" over her killer's co-defendant being released early.
The 26-year-old was gunned down outside a Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve 2022 after she was caught in the crossfire of rival gang members.
Her murderer, Connor Chapman, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 48 years last year.
His accomplice Thomas Waring, 21, who was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender, was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Waring helped to burn out the stolen car used in Elle's shooting.
Last week, Elle's dad Tim was informed that Waring will be released early amid efforts to free up prison space - as soon as April 2026.
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This would be 15 months earlier than planned.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: "It makes me sick to think he's being rewarded for his crimes, by being released early.
"It pains me to think that this is the case, not just in our case but in other cases that are happening regularly."
He claimed that the government's desire to ease pressure on the prison system had seen it lose sight of the families at the heart of violent crimes.
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He added that the family felt disregarded - and that a system should be put in place whereby victims and their families can appeal against a potential early release.
Elle had been enjoying a night out with her sister at another pub, before the pair decided to relocate to The Lighthouse.
The beautician later drove her sister home, before returning to the venue.
Recalling their final conversation, Lucy said: "When I got out the car I told Elle not to be late so not to ruin Christmas. She said she wouldn't and she’d be about an hour."
She said she later texted Elle: “Hey? Get home," to which she didn't respond.
In the morning, Lucy was woken by brother George saying "Elle had been shot";.
Aiming for two rival gang members, murderer Chapman had instead blasted "wholly innocent" Elle in the back of the head twice, a court heard.
He had used a Czech firearm designed for the security services and the army.
The weapon is so powerful that on fully-automatic mode, it can empty a magazine of 15 bullets quicker than a sneeze.
On the night Elle was killed, the gun was in semi-automatic mode with an initial volley of seven shots fired by the gunman, before a further two shots, a brief pause and then another three shots.
The intended targets of the shooting were actually Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, who were injured in the attack.
Tensions had boiled over following a "history of trouble" between rival groups from the Woodchurch and Ford estates, on either side of the M53 in the Wirral.
Chapman had been served with an injunction in the months before the shooting, aimed at preventing gang-related violence.
This was said to be about as much use as a "chocolate teapot" in deterring the violent criminal.
The day after the horror as the horrifying news began to trickle through, Chapman hatched a plot to cover his tracks.
He drove a stolen Mercedes seen on the night of the shooting to the home of pal and co-defendant Thomas Waring.
The car was later found burnt out in an isolated spot in Frodsham, Cheshire.
Waring, who refused to give evidence during the trial, claims an unnamed man visited his home to borrow the vehicle, which was a "pool car" used by drug dealers.
A single particle of gunshot residue was found on the back of a red glove seized at his home.
Elle suffered "irrecoverable" injuries and was declared dead shortly after.
Five other people, including Chapman's intended targets, were injured in the horror attack.
Footage released last year showed the moments leading up to Elle's death - with the beautician seen smiling and hugging friends outside the pub after leaving for a cigarette.
During Chapman's trial, Tim issued a heartbroken victim impact statement.
He said: "I can’t begin to explain the devastating effect this has. The only people who go through such a horrific experience can ever know how it feels.
"I hope the people in this room never have to experience what we are going through now. We have been given a life sentence.
"Whenever we celebrate birthdays, Easter, family celebrations there will always be Elle missing. We know if she was there, it was always going to be a great time full of laughter and cheer.
“We will always wonder what her children would be like, what her career would turn out like. We will never know. We never asked for this punishment."
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Elle's mum Gaynor, who was not present at court, said: "I want to know why have you done this? What drove you to do this to my daughter? I can’t accept she’s gone.
"I cannot put into words how much I love and miss her.”
