Olivia Pratt-Korbel's killer will not see his 42-year jail term extended, the government has said.
Cashman was ordered to serve the sentence after being found guilty of the nine-year-old's murder last month. She died after being shot in her own home by the gunman in Dovecot last summer.
Following the verdict, the Attorney General's office received requests from members of the public who believed the jail term was not long enough to refer Cashman's sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
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But in a statement released to the ECHO today, the Solicitor General of the United Kingdom, Michael Tomlinson KC, said the 34-year-old's case would not be referred for an appeal.
Mr Tomlinson KC said: “Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s senseless murder at the hands of Thomas Cashman shocked and sickened the nation.
“Because of the strong feelings this case evokes, it was little surprise that I received several requests under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, to consider the sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum term of 42 years that was handed down to him.
“My duty as a Law Officer in considering whether sentences may be unduly lenient is to act independently of government, even when it is not easy or popular.
“Having received detailed legal advice and considered the issues raised very carefully, I have concluded Cashman’s case cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal."
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He added that such a referral can only be made if the "rigorous legal test is met, irrespective of the seriousness of the crime or the emotions the offending may evoke." Mr Tomlinson KC said the threshold for referral is "a high one and that was not met in this case."
Mr Tomlinson said: “The test is only met if the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range reasonably available in the circumstances of the offending.
“My thoughts remain with Olivia’s family and friends who have shown such immeasurable strength during this devastating time.”
Cashman's trial heard how he "lay in wait" with two guns to attack convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee, 36, on August 22, 2022. Nee had run towards the open door of Olivia's home after her mother went out to see what the noise was.
Cashman continued shooting and a bullet went through the door and Ms Korbel's hand, before fatally hitting Olivia in the chest.
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