Man pleads not guilty to murder of Elle Edwards, 26, in Wallasey Christmas Eve shooting

A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elle Edwards, who was shot dead in a pub on the Wirral on Christmas Eve.

Connor Chapman, of no fixed address, faces a total of nine offences in connection with the shooting at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village.

The 26-year-old beautician was fatally shot just before midnight on 24 December 2022, but is not believed to have been the intended target of the attack, which left four men injured.

Chapman, wearing a grey tracksuit and with shoulder-length hair, spoke only to enter his pleas and to confirm his name during the hearing, which lasted about 35 minutes.

He entered not guilty pleas to the charges of attempted murder of Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld and three counts of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm of Harry Loughran, Nicholas Speed and Liam Carr.

He also denied possession of a converted Skorpion submachine gun and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, as well as handling stolen goods – a Mercedes A class vehicle – between December 22 and 26.

Also appearing by videolink at the hearing was Thomas Waring, 20, of Private Drive, Barnston, Wirral.

Waring, being held at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool, entered not guilty pleas to two charges: possession of a Skorpion submachine gun and assisting an offender by helping dispose of the car allegedly used by Chapman after the shooting.

A further pre-trial hearing is to be held on May 15.

Judge Andrew Menary KC, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, remanded both defendants into custody ahead of their trial at Liverpool Crown Court, scheduled to begin on June 12.