Family’s fury as gangster who helped kill Elle Edwards could possibly be launched early – serving lower than three years in jail
A gangster jailed for assisting the murderer of an innocent woman could walk free from prison after serving less than a third of his sentence under the Government’s early release scheme.
Thomas Waring, 21, hid the submachine gun and burned the getaway car used in the killing of beautician Elle Edwards outside a pub in Wallasey, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022.
Waring was jailed for nine years last July, but Elle’s devastated father Tim Edwards has now been told he could be released as early as April 2026 – meaning he will have served just two years and nine months.
Sir Keir Starmer‘s Government announced in July that thousands of prisoners would be released early to combat prison overcrowding.
And Mr Edwards, 53, said he feels like Waring is being rewarded for aiding the slaughter of his 26-year-old daughter. ‘I’m angry,’ he said.
Thomas Waring, 21, (pictured) could walk free from prison after serving less than a third of his sentence
Elle Edwards (pictured) was gunned down outside a pub in Wallasey, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022
Connor Chapman, 24, (pictured) was jailed for a minimum of 48 years for Elle’s murder last year
Undated handout file photo of a generic photo of a Skorpion sub-machine gun, similar to that used in the shooting which killed Elle Edwards
Waring hid the submachine gun and burned the getaway car used in the killing of beautician Elle Edwards
A screengrab of police arresting a person in connection with the Christmas Eve shooting of Elle Edwards, at the Lighthouse pub
Chapman opened fire outside the Lighthouse pub shortly before midnight, killing Elle and injuring five others, in the culmination of a gang feud
Waring was jailed for nine years last July, but Elle’s devastated father Tim Edwards has now been told he could be released as early as April 2026
‘I’ve kept calm and cool and been very dignified for the last two years, but this has really boiled me. I’m sick and tired of being dignified, I want action.
‘As far as I’m concerned, he should be in prison for ten or 15 years.’
Connor Chapman, 24, was jailed for a minimum of 48 years for Elle’s murder last year.
He opened fire outside the Lighthouse pub shortly before midnight, killing her and injuring five others, in the culmination of a gang feud.
Afterwards, Chapman drove a stolen Mercedes to the home of Waring, who destroyed the car and concealed the weapon.
He was convicted of possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender.
Mr Edwards received the devastating news about Waring’s early release in a letter from a victim liaison officer at the Ministry of Justice, which cited ‘significant issues with the prison population’ as the reason for Waring’s early release.
In response, Mr Edwards wrote to the PM demanding answers. He said: ‘He’s basically been put in the same class as a shoplifter. How can that be right?
‘I started a foundation in Elle’s name to discourage kids from joining gangs. But it feels like the government is trying to undermine this by failing to punish serious criminals.’
