Thomas Cashman’s bid to have his sentence cut will come as a major blow to Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family.
Less than three weeks ago the cowardly killer sparked outrage by refusing to face the nine-year-old’s relatives in court when he was jailed for a minimum of 42 years.
But the spineless drug dealer clearly believes the little girl’s life is worth less than that with his plea to serve a reduced prison term.
A Court of Appeal official said yesterday: “We received an application for leave to appeal the claimant’s sentence yesterday.” No application has been made in relation to Cashman’s conviction for murder.
A single appeal court judge will now decide if the thug should be given the opportunity to appeal. If he is, the case will be heard by three judges sitting at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.
Cashman shot Olivia dead at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, last August.
His trial heard how he “lay in wait” with two guns to attack Joseph Nee, 36. When his intended victim ran towards the Korbels’ open front door, Cashman followed and fired.
Olivia’s mum Cheryl Korbel, 46, was hit in the wrist as she tried to keep the door shut. The same bullet then hit her daughter, who was hiding behind her.
Her last words were: “Mum, I’m scared.”
After Cashman was jailed for life at Manchester crown court, Cheryl said: “We welcome the sentence given, but what I can say is that my family and I have already started our life sentence having to spend the rest of our lives without Olivia. Everyone adored her.” Sentencing Cashman in absentia, Mrs Justice Amanda Yip said she had considered handing down a whole-life order, meaning he would never be released.
But she told how she decided it was not merited because the planning and premeditation in his attack was not directed at Olivia.
Justice Yip said the killer was “not of previous good character”, had made it clear he was a criminal and had “demonstrated no remorse” during his trial.
The judge added: “His failure to come into court is further evidence of that.”
Justice Yip said Cashman “relentlessly pursued” Nee into Olivia’s home, where the schoolgirl had left her bed after hearing the commotion.
She added: “She came downstairs to seek the comfort of her mother.
“In a terrible twist of fate, she had stepped directly into the line of fire.”
Cheryl clutched a pink teddy during the sentence hearing that was made from items that belonged to Olivia.
She said: “I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrifying screams. The utter devastation he has caused, he doesn’t care, how could he? His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that can never be filled.
“That man set out to do a job and he didn’t care about who got in his way.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer is among key figures supporting the Mirror campaign demanding a change in the law to compel killers to be in court.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has been accused of dragging his feet over the issue.
Cheryl said: “I’d support a law that would force criminals to show up for sentencing.”
