DAD'S PAIN
My daughter Elle Edwards was murdered by absolute scumbag who couldn’t look me in eye…I won’t let her death be in vain
ELLE Edwards' heartbroken dad has slammed the "absolute scumbag" who murdered her as he was today convicted of murder.
Tim Edwards told how cowardly Connor Chapman couldn't even look him in the eye after he shot Elle, 26, dead on Christmas Eve.
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And he revealed how his daughter's horrific killing will not be in vain as he will never let her be forgotten.
Speaking as Chapman was today convicted of murder, Tim said: "He’s a scumbag isn’t he? An absolute scumbag. No remorse, not one ounce, not one sign of regret for what he’s done.
"If anything, arrogant to actually believe he can pull the wool over people’s eyes and get away with it. I couldn’t care less about that thing."
It comes as...
- Connor Chapman was today convicted of murdering Elle Edwards
- Chapman can be seen opening fire in the car park after lying in wait for three hours
- Footage shows the moment the killer was arrested in Tesco
- The beautician could be seen laughing with pals just moments before the horror unfolded
Innocent Elle was caught up in the crossfire of a deadly gang war as she had a festive drink in Wallasey, Merseyside.
Chapman had been aiming for two rival gang members when he blindly opened fire outside The Lighthouse pub.
Tragic Elle was hit twice in the head and died after suffering "irrecoverable" injuries in the attack on Christmas Eve last year.
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Tim said he doesn't believe his daughter's killer had a "brain cell" to comprehend what he has done otherwise he wouldn't have pulled the trigger in the first place.
He added: "There’s no show of remorse or even look of regret. I think he more regrets the fact he’s been caught, I don’t think he regrets what he’s done."
The dad poignantly told how a few days before Elle was murdered, he had a "cracking" night with her and his other daughter Lucy visiting Christmas markets.
Tim joked how it got "really messy", adding: "We had a laugh, it was really good. I’m glad I got that time to have."
He is now trying to create a lasting legacy for his daughter and has set up an anti-gun foundation in her memory.
Tim explained Elle wouldn't want her family "sitting around moping and going downhill".
He said his daughter always lifted people's spirits and would want everyone to "live the best life you possibly can".
The dad added: "I think Elle’s legacy hopefully will be something that people draw a bit of positivity from. She was a caring person, she would give more of her time to other people than she did to herself.
"If she can be remembered for that and for her warmth and her young 26-year-old happy-go-lucky life that she was living."
Tim continued: "She won’t be forgotten then and that’s what’s important to me is that she’s never forgotten. So if that’s one way we can do it then we’ll do it.
"Once this is over, the trial, it’s a new future for me."
Tim urged others "just don't do it" in a message to anyone on the verge of heading into a criminal lifestyle like Chapman's.
The killer has a string of convictions ranging from burglary, driving offences and shoplifting to possession of a weapon, car theft and assault.
The intended targets of the fatal 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.
Tim said he was aware of the feud but explained previously wars between gangs would end in a fist fight, not a shootout.
He said: "It’s not really a surprise but it’s surprising the manner that it’s resulted in the death of my daughter who had nothing to do with any of it and she’s in a pub on Christmas Eve doing what any young girl should be doing, having a drink, having a good time, waiting to go and spend her Christmas with her family and some scumbag walks in and thinks he can open fire on a pub on Christmas Eve.
"I can’t get my head around where that thought process comes from."
Tim also praised his three other children for "carrying" him following Elle's death.
He said he was "lucky enough" to be her father and told how they were "like best mates" always laughing and doing "stupid things" together.
The dad is now looking forward to getting back to the foundation and is planning to finish a charity walk from Worcester to Land’s End.
In terms of Chapman being behind bars, Tim added: "It just means he’s off the streets, someone else is not going to suffer at the hands of him.
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"Unfortunately Elle was his last victim but thankfully she will be the last person he does anything to and he can go fade away.
"We’ve got justice and we can start going forward then."
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