Thomas Cashman: Assassin of Olivia Pratt-Korbel sentenced to life in jail

• By Lynette Horsburgh and Rachael Lazaro
• BBC Information

April 3, 2023 at 15:55 CET

Up to date 29 minutes in the past

Picture supply, household handout

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The bullet that killed Olivia was fired by way of the entrance door of her dwelling

The person who murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was sentenced to life in jail and served a minimal of 42 years in jail.

Thomas Cashman, 34, refused to go to the dock for sentencing and none of his relations have been current in courtroom.

He fatally shot Olivia and injured her mom, Cheryl Korbel, whereas chasing one other drug seller into her Liverpool dwelling on the night of August 22, 2022.

The choose stated his failure to look was “disrespectful” to Olivia’s household.

John Cooper KC, who’s defending himself, stated Cashman didn’t attend the listening to as he claimed prosecutors sang “We’re the Champions” after his conviction.

He stated Cashman was involved the proceedings would “flip right into a circus”.

Decide Amanda Yip sentenced him in absentia at Manchester Crown Court docket, saying drug seller Cashman was “not of earlier good character”, had made it clear he was a prison and “confirmed no regret”.

“His failure to look in courtroom is additional proof of that,” she stated.

Picture supply, Merseyside Police

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Thomas Cashman was convicted after a greater than three-week trial

She stated Cashman “relentlessly pursued Joseph Nee into Olivia’s home,” the place the schoolgirl left her mattress after listening to the commotion.

“She got here downstairs to hunt her mom’s consolation,” she stated.

“Her final phrases have been ‘Mother, I’m scared.’

“In a horrific coincidence, she had stepped squarely into the road of fireside.”

The choose stated she thought-about issuing a life sentence, that means Cashman would by no means be launched from jail, however determined it was undeserved as a result of the planning and premeditatedness of his assault was not directed at Olivia .

She additionally recommended the braveness of a lady who testified towards Cashman, who was granted anonymity for all times.

At first of the listening to, Ms. Korbel was in tears as she clutched a teddy bear comprised of her daughter’s pajamas whereas giving an impression testimony to her sufferer on the witness stand.

“I can’t think about Cashman persevering with to shoot after listening to the horrified screams and the utter devastation he had triggered,” she stated.

“His actions left the most important gap in our lives.”

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Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s mom: “Justice has prevailed and I can not categorical our aid”

Ms Korbel stated courtroom life was “so very quiet” with out her daughter, including, “I simply can’t take the silence.”

She stated she spent each afternoon fascinated with the top of the varsity day and her “sassy, ​​talkative woman that everybody adored,” including, “My thoughts retains telling me I forgot to inform her from the to select up from college.”

She added that Olivia’s grandmother died Sunday evening however fortunately “lived lengthy sufficient to see that coward discovered responsible.”

Olivia’s father, John Pratt, informed the courtroom he was “heartbroken” and having “nightmares about how she died [that] gained’t go away”.

Addressing the absent Cashman straight, he stated: “You have got denied my stunning woman Olivia her future.

“I’ll by no means see her on her marriage ceremony day and stroll her down the aisle… and watch her develop into the gorgeous girl she was meant to be.”

“We have now been robbed of their future. Due to you, she’s going to at all times be 9.”

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Watch: Decide points obligatory life sentence for homicide of Olivia Pratt-Korbel

Cashman, who informed the courtroom he was making as much as £5,000 per week from dealing hashish in Liverpool, was discovered responsible of Olivia’s homicide after a trial that lasted greater than three weeks.

The jury heard Nee, 36, was the meant goal of the assault and Cashman, armed with two firearms, was “in wait” for his colleague.

Nee had run to the open door of Olivia’s home after her mom went outdoors to see what the noise was, the courtroom heard.

Nevertheless, realizing it was gunshot, she ran again into her home and tried to shut the door to maintain the strangers out, however Cashman fired once more.

The bullet went by way of the door and Frau Korbel’s hand earlier than hitting Olivia within the chest.

Cashman, a father of two, denied being the shooter and had claimed he was at a good friend’s home on the time of the assault, counting £10,000 in money and smoking hashish.

BBC Panorama examines how Liverpool dominated the UK drug market and the way organized crime introduced in regards to the dying of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

At Manchester Crown Court docket

Judith Moritz, BBC Northern England Correspondent

When the decision was introduced, there was respiratory noise within the spectator stand.

Olivia’s mom Cheryl and different kinfolk cried, whereas some law enforcement officials additionally had tears of their eyes.

Exterior the courtroom, Olivia’s mom and her aunts hug and cry.

It’s not nearly justice for the nine-year-old and her household. It’s also a second for the entire neighborhood in Dovecot, Liverpool.

Thomas Cashman’s lengthy imprisonment will reassure these he intimidated and who lived in worry of him. This may make them really feel slightly safer.

Nevertheless it gained’t clear up the bigger issues that allowed him to thrive. Drug trafficking will proceed and the provision of firearms stays an issue.

Cashman’s arrest is a serious victory for the police. However they know there’s nonetheless work to be achieved to wash up the streets the place he has operated.

After the sentencing, Ms. Korbel stated her household “can now put an finish to the seven months of excruciating torment we endured by the hands of Cashman.”

“Justice has prevailed and I can not categorical our aid,” she stated.

She additionally thanked the witnesses “who valiantly supported the prosecution’s case and defied the same old stance [that] ‘Folks don’t graze’”.

She stated they welcome the decision, “however my household and I’ve already began our life sentence to spend the remainder of our lives with out Olivia.”

John Pratt’s sister Louise added that whereas they have been “glad” with the end result, they “gained’t be celebrating as nothing will fill the void left in our lives after the lack of Olivia”.

Det Supt Mark Baker, who led the investigation, stated “the braveness and bravado of Olivia’s household [was] in direct distinction to the cowardice of Thomas Cashman”.

He stated the decision was welcomed by Merseyside Police, including it means Cashman “is not going to be out till he’s a really previous man”.

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Bodycam footage from the second Thomas Cashman was arrested

Concerning Cashman’s refusal to enter the dock, a Justice Division supply stated that Olivia and her household “have been unable to cover from Thomas Cashman’s crimes, so he shouldn’t be capable of disguise from justice.”

“That’s precisely why the Deputy Prime Minister [Dominic Raab] is dedicated to altering the legislation in order that offenders are compelled to face the results of their actions,” they stated.

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