Crimestoppers has given an update on the £200k reward for information in the Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder case.
Thomas Cashman was found guilty of murdering the nine-year-old schoolgirl by a jury last week. Olivia was shot dead in her own home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot in one of the most horrific crimes in Merseyside's history.
Cashman, 34, was due in the dock to be sentenced this afternoon, Monday April 3, but refused to enter the courtroom - despite the judge telling him to. Professor John Cooper KC, defending, said his client was "concerned that the matter was turning into a circus".
READ MORE: Armed police surround road as Thomas Cashman arrives in court ahead of sentencing
Justice Amanda Yip described his actions as "disrespectful to the family of the deceased". Cashman, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum jail term of 42 years.
Gasps were heard among Olivia's family as the sentence was passed with one man heard to say "yes", while her mum Cheryl was seen dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
Following Cashman's sentencing, Crimestoppers gave an update on the £200k reward for information that was announced following Olivia's death. The reward was increased after Crimestoppers founder, Lord Ashcroft, doubled his initial pledge of £50,000, to match a £100,000 donation from a new, private donor to make a total of £200,000.
This was the biggest single reward offered in the charity's history.
Mark Hallas, Crimestoppers Chief Executive said: "The jailing of Thomas Cashman is a positive outcome to an incredibly sad and tragic case. No one should experience such shocking levels of violence in their home – especially a child with her mother nearby.
"The response from the people of Liverpool to our charity’s appeal for anonymous information has been incredibly encouraging and we’d like to thank everyone who contacted us – or the police directly – for their contribution. Due to our promise of anonymity, Crimestoppers cannot comment directly on the details of what we’ve passed on to the police – or whether or not the record reward will be paid out.
"However, this case shows that we can all play our part in tackling violence and helping to make our communities safe.”
Crimestoppers said the money would be paid to anyone who called to give information that led to the conviction of Olivia's killer.
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