The family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel said Thomas Cashman should be "haunted for the rest of his life" after killing the 9-year-old schoolgirl.
The 34-year-old, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, was unanimously found guilty of Olivia's murder by a jury on Thursday last week. She was shot dead in her own home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot in one of the most horrific crimes in Merseyside's history.
Cashman was due to return to court to be sentenced this afternoon, Monday April 3, but refused to appear in the dock. Professor John Cooper KC, defending, said his client was "concerned the matter was turning into a circus" and claimed he had heard representatives of the Crown Prosecution Service "loudly" singing 'We are the Champions' after the verdict was delivered.
READ MORE: Armed police surround road as Thomas Cashman arrives in court ahead of sentencing
Cashman was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for life with minimum term of 42 years. After the sentence Olivia's family and police gave statements outside of the court room.
A statement read on behalf of John Francis Pratt by his sister, Louise Pratt, who said they were happy with the result but would not be celebrating. Olivia's older sister's Kirsty and Kelsey stood alongside John and Louise.
She told reporters: "Following the conviction of Cashman and his sentence today we would like to say we are happy with the outcome. But we will not be celebrating as nothing will fill the gap left in our lives following the loss of Olivia.
"We would like to thank the jury for the correct verdict and the witness who showed courage and stood up for Olivia by giving evidence.
"We would also like to thank Merseyside Police and the officers from across the country who assisted in the investigation, the legal team and especially Mr McLachlan for the hard work in getting justice for our Olivia.
"We would like to thank our FLO's [family liaison officers] Justin and Nicky for the support they have given my brother and family over the hardest seven months of our lives."
Louise also said the family's thoughts are with the loved ones of Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale, Jackie Rutter and Elle Edwards.
She continued: "Lastly I would like to say Olivia Pratt-Korbel died a scared nine-year-old and we hope Cashman is haunted by this knowledge for the rest of his life."
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