Connor William Chapman

7 offences

What the court heard

He was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) in Liverpool, Merseyside, on 24 December 2022. SENTENCING 1. Shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve last year, the Lighthouse Pub in Wallasey Village was busy with revellers enjoying the season and looking forward to Christmas Day. For a short time six of them, separately, found themselves outside at the front of the building. They were Elle Edwards, Jake Duffey, Kieran Salkeld, Harry Loughran, Liam Carr and Nicholas Speed. They were not all together, they just happened to be there. What you did Connor Chapman to those six victims was as wicked as it was shocking. 2. You murdered Elle Edwards, bringing an end to her young life; you attempted to murder Jake Duffey and Kieran Salkeld, causing them very serious injuries; you wounded both Harry Loughran and Liam Carr and you caused injury to Nicholas Speed. How did you do that? You obtained a sub-machine gun loaded with 12 bullets and prepared yourself to fire all of them, at close range, at the six of them. Your intention was to murder Jake Duffey and Kieran Salkeld but you didn't care who else would be killed. That is why you fired all of the bullets at the group. I am satisfied that you are a highly dangerous man. 3. In this trial we have all watched the CCTV and sound recording of that shooting. It is utterly shocking. You carefully planned a revenge attack in gang rivalry. You had no thought at all for any one else, least of all to innocent people. The risk of all six being murdered by you was as substantial as it was obvious, but you didn't care. 4. After the shooting you drove straight to the home of your friend Thomas Waring, where you believed you could safely hide the stolen Mercedes car you had used to drive to the shooting, also the submachine gun which you asked Waring to look after and at least one of the gloves you wore in the shooting, which later produced gunshot residue evidence. You spent the days afterwards removing or destroying evidence that would identify you as the gunman. You washed the clothes you wore, other clothing and shoes were removed from your home before the police searched it and you destroyed your mobile phone. 5. Six days later, on the New Years Eve, together with Waring you returned to where the Stolen…

Aggravating and mitigating factors

Planned / Premeditated / Degree of Planning; Specific planned use of the weapon / weapon brought to scene; Busy / Public place / Time / Location / Broad Daylight / Residential Area; Gang related / Fighting between rival groups; Multiple victims; Subject to court order at the time of the offence

Around this case

• Liverpool Crown Court
• Prosecuted by CPS Mersey-Cheshire
• Investigated by Merseyside Police