Career criminal Connor Chapman, who fatally shot beautician Elle Edwards last Christmas Eve, accumulates substantial legal aid costs

Career criminal Connor Chapman, 23, who was sentenced to 48 years in July for the Christmas Eve murder of beautician Elle Edwards, has reportedly incurred legal aid costs totaling £282,000, as revealed by figures obtained by The Sun.

Chapman, known for his criminal history, first began accruing taxpayer-funded legal fees in 2013 when facing charges related to burglary and theft. The expenses reached a staggering £267,000 during his murder trial at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this year.

The murderer’s legal aid costs have sparked public concern and debate over the allocation of taxpayer funds to individuals with criminal backgrounds. Chapman had opened fire with a sub-machine gun on gangland rivals near Elle Edwards outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Merseyside.

Elle Edwards, a 26-year-old beautician, tragically lost her life in the incident. The figures highlighting the substantial legal aid expenditure have raised questions about the allocation and oversight of such funds in cases involving serious criminal offenses.

Meanwhile, Elle Edwards’s family commemorated Christmas Day together, marking the first anniversary of her untimely death. Elle’s father, Tim, expressed a mix of emotions as the day approached, emphasizing the importance of keeping the celebrations as normal as possible, especially for his four-year-old grandson.

Despite the tragedy, Tim Edwards delivered hampers to families in need before Christmas, reflecting a commitment to both remembering Elle and supporting the community during the holiday season.