Closing summary
Thomas Cashman has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 42 years for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel after being found guilty of murdering the nine-year-old in a shooting that has repulsed Britain.
In 2022, nine-year-old Olivia was standing behind her mother when Cashman, 34, opened fire while chasing Joseph Nee, who had sought refuge inside after seeing that the door was open. She was fatally struck by a single bullet that had gone through the door and the hand of her mother, Cheryl Korbel.
The judge said: “For the murder of Olivia, there is only one sentence that can be passed: that is a mandatory life sentence. Let there be no misunderstanding about this, the sentence will be one of life imprisonment. However, for reasons I shall explain, this is not a case which requires a whole-life order.”
For the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, Cashman, who was not present in court, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 22 years. For wounding Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, Cashman received a further 10 years’ imprisonment. And for the remaining two firearms offences, Cashman was sentenced to 18 years for each.
Personal statements from Olivia’s parents and her older sister, Chloe, were read before the Manchester crown court on Monday. “My family and I are living in a real-life tragedy, and there’s nothing we can do to change that,” said Chloe.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Olivia’s aunt and mother, Cheryl, made statements welcoming the outcome. “Olivia Pratt-Korbel died a scared nine-year-old and we hope Cashman is haunted by this knowledge for the rest of his life,” said her aunt, Louise Pratt. While Olivia’s mother expressed relief that justice had prevailed, Cheryl said the family has “already started our life sentence having to spend our lives without Olivia.”
Merseyside Police’s detective superintendent Mark Baker said he hopes the 42-year sentence will serve as a deterrent against further gun crime. “The courage and bravery that Olivia’s family have shown is in direct contrast to the cowardness shown by Thomas Cashman,” said Baker, who led the murder investigation.
All of Cashman’s sentences are to be served concurrently. After he has served the minimum term, he will only be released should the Parole Board decide.
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“Today’s sentence will never bring Olivia back,” Merseyside Police’s detective superintendent Mark Baker said welcoming the sentence outside the crown court.
“The courage and bravery that Olivia’s family have shown is in direct contrast to the cowardness shown by Thomas Cashman,” said Baker, who led the murder investigation. Baker also expressed hope that the 42-year sentence will serve as a deterrent against further gun crime.
“This has been a challenging, complex and emotional inquiry,” he added, thanking the investigation team.
