Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family broke down in tears when Paul Russell was sentenced today.
Justice Yip handed the 41-year-old a 22 month sentence, saying that she was giving credit of 25 per cent for his guilty plea. Taking into account the time spent on remand, and the fact offenders serving determinate sentences are released at the half way stage on licence, Russell could be freed in less than six months.
Some members of Olivia’s family were in tears in the public gallery as the sentence was delivered. Paul Russell showed no emotion as the sentence was passed.
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Earlier on in the hearing, Olivia's brother Ryan Korbel walked out in frustration when the court heard that Russell's sentence could be suspended if it was under two years. Tom Schofield, defending Russell, told the hearing Russell’s parents have had to move away from Merseyside since the shooting.
Mr Schofield also told the court that Russell had been threatened in prison and had been moved to an unidentified facility under an "assumed identity". He had also been handed a threat to life notice by police, known as an Osman Warning, after he was charged.
Paul Russell will be given a new identity after pleading guilty to helping Thomas Cashman. Mr Schofield said that Russell will also "not be allowed to return to Merseyside." He added: "[He will be] given a new identity and no doubt be looking over his shoulder for some years to come."
"It would be naïve not to recognise this hardship and disruption he has brought upon himself. Of course, all of that hardship and disruption is but a drop in the ocean of grief that Olivia’s family have had to endure and will continue to endure. I do ask the court to reflect those circumstances in some way in his sentence."
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