Olivia Pratt-Korbel's great nan "held on" to hear Thomas Cashman had been found guilty before she died.
Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years after being unanimously found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Olivia by a jury. Justice Amanda Yip passed Cashman's sentence in his absence after he refused to return to court this afternoon (Monday).
Olivia's mum placed a teddy bear made out of her daughter's pyjamas on the witness box before she read out a victim personal impact statement to the court. During the statement, Cheryl told how her nan, Olivia's great nan, had sadly died on Sunday night, the day before Cashman was due to be sentenced.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman continued shooting even after hearing 'terrifying screams'
Speaking of Cashman, she said: “His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that can never be filled. That man set out to do a job, and he didn’t care about anyone else or who got in the way.
“He certainly couldn’t own it either. Ryan, Chloe and I are just existing day to day. We have been waiting for the trial and not addressing how broken we are as a family. I can’t think about rebuilding our lives without her.
“We have missed out on so much. My nan, who was 92, adored Liv and Liv her. Recently her health deteriorated and she as admitted to hospital.
“Due to being at court every day, we’ve not been able to spend enough quality time with her. I believe she held on long enough to hear that coward had been found guilty.
“Sadly my nan passed away last night. My nine-year-old Liv was the light of our of lives. She was a character, She was my baby. She had amazing qualities and knew what she wanted in life.
“She will never get to wear a prom dress, have a sweet 16th birthday, walk down the aisle or become a mother and have children of her own. All that promise for her future, so cruelly taken away. Now I have to drive to the cemetery to be close to my baby daughter.
“I miss her smile, her kisses, her cuddles. She will always be with me, my little shadow. We love you endless amounts.”
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