The intended target of the attack that killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel begged the shooter for his life.
Manchester Crown Court heard today how Joseph Nee begged a gunman for his life after being shot at in the street. Thomas Cashman returned to the dock today after being charged with nine-year-old Olivia's murder. The 34-year-old, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, pleaded not guilty to murdering Olivia back in December.
As well as denying Olivia's murder, Cashman denies attempting to murder Nee as well as wounding Olivia's mum, 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.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman trial updates as jury told of moment mum realised Olivia Pratt-Korbel had been shot
The prosecution opened its case today and told the jury of the events leading up to the moment the schoolgirl was shot in her home. David McLachlan, KC, prosecuting, said intended target Nee had watched Liverpool v Manchester United in Timothy Naylor's bedroom with friends Jack Naylor, Paul Abraham and a man called Lewis.
Nee and Mr Abraham left together at 9.52pm and turned onto Kingsheath Avenue. Mr McLachlan told the jury a gunman approached the two men walking on the Dovecot street at around 10pm on Monday, August 22 last year.
Timothy Naylor described hearing a series of bangs and screaming shortly after. The jury, of 10 men and two women, was shown footage again of the gunman standing over Nee pointing the weapon at him. Mr McLachlan pointed out distinctive stripes on the gunman's clothing.
Mr Abraham described hearing a bang which he initially thought was a firework before he and Nee ran off, with the latter falling over. A neighbour remembered hearing four bangs, while a woman saw Nee being chased by a man who was pointing a gun at him.
Mr Abraham heard Nee shouting "please don't", while another witness heard him saying "don't lad". He was also heard to say: "What are you doing lad? What are you doing." Mr Abraham escaped by jumping through the back gardens of houses, "fearing for his life". Mr McLachlan describes how he was “sobbing hysterically” in a phone call to Mr Naylor before returning home.
The court heard how Nee fled towards Olivia's house where Cheryl, two neighbours, and Olivia's siblings Ryan and Chloe were home. Cheryl, hearing bangs, opened her front door before "quickly realising the gravity of the situation".
Nee banged on the door and shouted "help me" before saying to the gunman: "What are you doing lad?" One witness saw the assailant holding a small, black handgun before seeing a flash and hearing another bang.
The jury heard how Cheryl realised she had been hit in the hand, before she turned and saw Olivia had followed her down the stairs. Sister Chloe recalled her mum screaming "Livia had been hit" as Cheryl went over to her daughter on the stairs saying: "Stay with me baby."
Another neighbour recalled seeing the gunman charge the door and managing “in some way” to get inside, at which point she heard a further bang. Ryan Korbel saw the man's arm come around the door, holding a black handgun, and saw another shot being fired.
Cheryl heard Nee say "please lad don't" before hearing a further shot. After the gunman ran off, Nee shouted "help me" and asked for a phone after the attacker left.
The trial - listed to last around four weeks - continues.
You can follow the ECHO's live updates of the trial here.
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