The father of Elle Edwards said her killer could ‘feel his anger’ in court, as Connor Chapman was found guilty of murdering the beautician.
The 26-year-old was killed on Christmas Eve last year outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral, shortly before midnight.
She had been enjoying some drinks prior to the big Christmas Day celebration when she was shot down by Chapman, 23.
The gunman opened fire with a sub-machine gun as he targeted two men over a gang feud.
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The jury also convicted Chapman of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as possession of a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, was found guilty of possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender by helping to burn out the stolen Mercedes used in the murder.
Her father was there in court as the verdicts were read out, and could be heard saying ‘You coward’ as Chapman was taken from the dock.
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Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Tim Edwards said his daughter’s killer could ‘feel his anger’ as he walked past him during the trial.
He said: “He could feel my anger.
“When he was in the dock he had to walk past me and I had to show my strength and doing what I wanted to do to him, but obviously that was not the right thing to do, but he knew how angry I was.”
Mr Edwards said he wears a locket in memory of his daughter – inside which he said was ‘just peace for her’.
The grieving dad said he stared at Chapman throughout the case, ignoring the CCTV footage as it was played in court.
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He said he was glad the case was now over and that the family 'got the best justice we could'.
“Now it's time to put that behind us," he added.
In another interview with Sky News at the time of his daughter's funeral, Mr Edwards said: "She was beautiful looking and she was a great hugger. She was just a fantastic human being with a heart of gold."
He said the month between her unexpected death and funeral had been a 'struggle' as the family has tried to adjust to life without her.
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"Time moves so quick," he went on,
"In our situation with the developments, Christmas Day didn't mean anything, that had gone. It didn't feel real and Christmas will never be the same. Christmas will never be a point of celebration for me, ever."
Chapman has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 48 years.
Featured Image Credit: Family handout/ITV