The dad of Elle Edwards, who was shot dead in a pub on Christmas Eve, has described how his daughter had a ‘heart of gold’.

Tim Edwards said the shooting ‘should never have happened’ as he paid tribute to his ‘beautiful and caring’ daughter.

In his first interview since her death with Sky News, he said: ‘She’s the type of person that would walk into the room and everyone would gravitate towards her because she was always smiling.

‘She was beautiful looking and she was a great hugger. She was just a fantastic human being with a heart of gold.’

He added: ‘There are no winners with gun crime… If you pick up a gun, your future is over and everybody else’s future around you is over. It’s dead simple. It’s absolutely pointless and it solves nothing.

‘I want to see a positive that comes out of this. Elle’s name will be used for good in the future. She can’t be forgotten.’ 

The 26-year-old beautician was shot dead just a few minutes before Christmas Day at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Wirral, near Liverpool.

She is believed not to have been the intended target for the shot, which also injured four other men.

Elle Edwards, 26, was shot dead just moments before Christmas Day (Picture: PA)

Dad Tim paid tribute to a daughter who had a ‘heart of gold’ (Picture: Sky News)

It was Tim’s first interview since Elle’s death in December (Picture: Sky News)

A 22 year-old man has been arrested and charged with murdering Elle using a submachine gun.

Connor Chapman appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink on Monday charged with nine counts including murder, and is due to stand trial on June 7.

The case is expected to last three to four weeks. Chapman is also charged with the attempted murder of Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, and three counts of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Harry Loughran, Nicholas Speed and Liam Carr.

Other charges include possession of a Scorpion submachine gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life on Christmas Eve, the handling of stolen goods and a Mercedes A class vehicle, between December 22 and Boxing Day.

Elle’s funeral will take place next week on January 25 in her hometown, with hundreds of people expected to turn out for it.

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‘She’s the type of person that would walk into the room and everyone would gravitate towards her.’