Who is Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s killer Thomas Cashman?
THOMAS Cashman received a life sentence for murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in August 2022.
Here we look at the life and crimes of Thomas Cashman.
Who is Thomas Cashman?
Thomas Cashman, 35, of West Derby, Liverpool was convicted of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel at her home in Dovecot on August 22, 2022.
Cashman was part of a failed gangland hit when he fatally wounded Olivia as she was seeking protection behind her mum.
He was captured by police on September 4, 2022.
Cashman was arrested and charged with Olivia's murder on September 29, 2022.
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How long has Thomas Cashman been sentenced for?
Cashman was found guilty of the murder of Olivia on March 30, 2023.
He denied all of the charges, including murder, but was convicted after a three-week trial.
He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 42 years, but made a second attempt to get that cut.
Speaking about the appeals, Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “It feels like this is just a gravy-train of legal aid.
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“These appeals are a disgrace and the taxpayer will be funding them.
“A jury took a proper look at this case and so did the judge and he has been given a very appropriate sentence.
“And let’s not forget he was a coward and didn’t even attend his own sentencing hearing.”
Thankfully he failed in both bids to get his sentence reduced and will serve the full term.
Cashman sparked fury when he refused to appear in the dock for sentencing.
Trial Judge Mrs Justice Yip said of the sentence: "A young child was shot and killed in her own home.
“Olivia was coming downstairs to seek reassurance.
“Cheryl Korbel should have been able to give that reassurance and tuck Olivia back into bed.
“What happened was chilling.
“Shooting into a family home with no regard for who may be caught in the crossfire is obviously a very significant aggravating factor.”
Yip sealed his fate, sending him down with convictions of murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent.
Cashman denied murder throughout the entirety of the trial.
A second man, Paul Russell, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.
Prior to Cashman’s arrest, Merseyside police arrested nine other men as part of the investigation who have all been bailed.
There was public outrage in November 2023 as Cashman's taxpayer-funded legal aid fee topped £220,000.
What happened to Olivia Pratt-Korbel?
On August 22, 2022 Olivia was shot and killed when a gunman forced his way into her home in Dovecot, Liverpool.
In a tragic turn of events, Olivia was not the intended target of the shooting, but an innocent victim of gun crime.
At around 10pm on Monday, August 22, 2022, two men were walking along Kingsheath Avenue from the direction of Finch Lane — close to Olivia's family home.
The men were approached by a man wearing a black padded jacket, black balaclava with a peak, dark pants and black gloves.
Responding to the sound of gunfire, Olivia's mum Cheryl opened the door to her property to see what was going on outside.
As she did, one of the men — Joseph Nee, who was fleeing the gunfire — noticed the front door open and made his way towards it.
Despite her best efforts to try and close the door, Nee forced his way inside the home, followed by the gunman.
Nine-year-old Olivia was believed to have been standing behind her mother when the gunman opened fire once more, hitting Cheryl in the wrist and Olivia in the chest.
A further two bullets were fired at the man who forced his way into the home as the gunman continued to try to gain entry.
Just moments after the gunman fled the scene, a black Audi arrived outside to take the injured man to hospital.
Both Olivia and Cheryl were left in the doorway bleeding from their injuries.
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The mother and daughter were taken to two separate hospitals.
However, the injuries Olivia suffered were fatal, tragically resulting in her death.