Elle Edwards' killer spent tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers cash on lawyers

The killer who murdered beautician Elle Edwards in a bungled drive-by shooting has received almost £75,000 in legal aid it has been revealed.

Connor Chapman, 23, gunned down Elle when he fired a submachine gun at two gang rivals, who he also wounded, outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Wirral on Christmas Eve, 2021.

He was last month jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum of 48 years. Chapman's sentencing hearing was told he had a littany of previous convictions including robbery, assault, burglary, possessing an offensive weapon, vehicle theft and cocaine and cannabis possession.

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At the age of 18, he was locked up for eight months after being chased by police at double the speed limit in a stolen Audi. The judge told him: “You have a bad record despite your young age, and you have been given every possible chance.

"You have no regard at all for other people.” By the age of 20, he had 19 convictions for 43 offences. A Freedom of Information request has now revealed 40 separate payments to solicitors and barristers totalling £74,348 reports the Mirror.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “Connor Chapman did not receive a penny – it was sent directly to lawyers so he could face justice for his crimes.

"Without legal representation, criminals could argue their trial was unfair and convictions could be quashed.”Last month, it was reported that Chapman recorded a rap video in prison telling enemies they "will regret it" saying they had "signed their own death".

The footage recovered by detectives from a mobile phone, was not heard by the jury during the trial and was only aired during his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court