The fact that Thomas Cashman was able to avoid coming to court today to hear his sentence for murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel has been described as a "disgrace" amid calls for a change in the law.
Cashman refused to enter the court today to face Olivia's family and hear Justice Amanda Yip hand down his prison sentence of life with a minimum of 42 years.
Just before the sentencing began at Manchester Crown Court today, his defence counsel informed the court that Cashman would not be coming into court. His lawyer told the court he was concerned the matter was 'turning into a circus' and said he wished to be sentenced in his absence.