A witness who claims murder accused Thomas Cashman came to her home the night Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed has been told to "calm down" by a judge while giving evidence.
Olivia, nine, died after being shot in the chest in her own home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot on the evening of August 22 last year. Cashman, 34 and of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, denies any involvement in the shooting.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had what she describes as a "fling" with Cashman. She told John Cooper, KC, defending, they had been friends to begin with before becoming "friends with benefits".
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman trial updates as second week of evidence on Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder
The woman later told the court she was "in a very, very vulnerable state" when she first spoke to the police. At the time, she said of her and Cashman's relationship that they had "mutual friends".
Mr Cooper asked her if this was a lie. But the woman said: "No. We wasn’t [having a relationship] at that time. At the time I was petrified, I was scared. I tried to hide the fact me and Tommy had a relationship.
"I didn’t want things to get out. If I say this, I’m gonna have all of this at my door. I’m petrified to mention it.”
When she was again accused of lying, the woman said: "Because I was scared, for the 20 millionth time. I’m not scared now, it’s been six months.
"I don’t think you realise what he’s done to me or that family, not one bit. I’m sorry, but it’s irrelevant questions to ask. I never lied to the jury. I admitted I never told them [the police] about the clothes or the relationship.”
Mr Cooper said: "You didn't think we had this material", to which the witness replied: "I did know, but to be perfectly honest I couldn't care, let's get to the good bit".
When asked what she meant by "good bit" by Mr Cooper, the woman said "the relevant bit" before adding they had "been here for like four hours now and we still haven't spoke about this little girl."
When Mr Cooper again said: "Good bits", she said "let's get to what happened on August 22nd". After Mr Cooper repeated "good bits" for a second time, judge Mrs Justice Amanda Yip, interrupted to remind him "She has just answered that".
The witness said: "I’ve just answered that, do as you’re told", and was then told by the judge to "take a deep breath and calm down".
As well as denying Olivia's murder, Cashman denies the attempted murder of Nee, as well as wounding Cheryl Korbel with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.
The jury have been told they must decide on the evidence whether Cashman was the gunman who fired those shots at the three victims.
The trial continues.
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