The man charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel appeared in court earlier today.
Forty two days after Olivia was shot in her own home as her mum tried to stop a gunman coming through her front door, Thomas Cashman appeared in public for the first time since being charged with her murder.
Cashman, 34 and from West Derby, is also charged with the attempted murder of Cheryl Korbel, Olivia’s mum, and convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee, whom he is alleged to have followed into the home before shooting. In addition, he faces two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
READ MORE:Thomas Cashman to stand trial next year over Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murder
Today saw Cashman and Paul Russell, who is charged with assisting an offender, move through the very first phases of their court proceedings very quickly.
This morning, they appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. All cases have their first hearing in the magistrates courts but in serious cases such as this one they tend to be largely administrative in nature.
Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, appeared in court in handcuffs and surrounded by dock officers. He was asked to identify himself and give some personal details before the charges against him were described before eventually being told he would appear before a judge at Liverpool Crown Court, on a higher floor in the same building, later in the day.
Appearing before Judge Neil Flewitt KC just after 2pm, Cashman faced a similar procedure - but this time more detail was shared about how his case will move forward.
One of the most important was a potential trial date set for March next year, as well as a plea hearing set for January. Judge Flewitt remanded him into custody until his trial.
Russell’s case was not sent to the crown court today. Instead, the 40 year old, of Snowberry Road, will appear there on October 31. He did not apply before bail either and was remanded in custody.
Olivia’s parents, Cheryl and John Francis Pratt, were in court to watch today’s hearings and were supported by police officers.
Both Cashman and Russell were taken back to prison after the hearings in large police convoys.
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