Elle Edwards was killed when a gunman opened fire at the Lighthouse pub in Wirral (Picture: PA)
A sub-machine gun similar to the one allegedly used in a pub shooting that killed a 26-year-old woman on Christmas Eve last year has been shown to a jury in the trial of the man accused of carrying it out.
Elle Edwards was visiting the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Merseyside, with a group of friends when a gunman opened fire just minutes before midnight on December 24.
The beautician was hit in the head by one of the 12 shots that were fired from the Skorpion machine pistol, and was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Connor Chapman, 23, is accused of Ms Edwards’ murder.
Prosecutors have alleged the shooting was the culmination of a feud between groups in two estates split by the M53 motorway in Wirral.
At the trial in Liverpool Crown Court today, forensic firearms scientist Andre de Villiers Horne demonstrated how the Skorpion firearm would be loaded and discharged – after reassuring jurors there was no ammunition inside.
He then passed the gun to members of the jury, allowing them to take a closer look.
The expert said it has three modes – safe, semi-automatic or fully automatic – with the latter allowing the user to fire a volley of shots until the trigger is released.
The jury at Liverpool Crown Court was shown this picture of a Skorpion gun, which is not the same one used in the Lighthouse shooting (Picture: PA)
Jurors were also shown this picture of the same gun with its stock unfolded (Picture: PA)
He told the jury: ‘This particular gun has got a high firing rate of 14 to 15 rounds per second so if you pull the trigger and don’t let go very quickly, before you can sneeze you would have emptied the magazine.’
Mr Horne said footage of the shooting suggested to him that the gun was on its semi-automatic setting when it was used at the Lighthouse.
In the video, which was played in court, he said he could identify an initial volley of seven shots, before a further two shots, a brief pause and then another three shots.
Further footage shown earlier in the trial appeared to show the gunman wearing red gloves during the incident.
A stolen car alleged to have been used by Connor Chapman in the shooting was burnt out a week later, the court previously heard (Picture: PA)
The court heard a single particle of gunshot residue was found on the back of a red glove found at the home of Thomas Waring, 20, where Chapman is alleged to have travelled after leaving the pub.
However, forensic scientist Dr Mandy Wood said the finding was of little significance because only one particle was found.
Chapman denies the murder of Ms Edwards, two counts of attempted murder and three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He also denies possession of a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Waring denies possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender by helping Chapman to dispose of the car.
The trial, which is expected to last three to four weeks, continues.
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Beautician Elle Edwards was killed in the shooting at the Lighthouse pub in Wirral.
