The devastated family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel were seen hugging members of the investigation team after her killer was convicted today.
Earlier today, the family was seen crying as the verdict was read out, finding high-level drug dealer Thomas Cashman, 34, of killing Olivia.
Olivia's mum Cheryl held a teddy bear and sat with her children Chloe and Ryan as the verdicts were read out.
Cheryl told reporters she was feeling "ecstatic" as she left the court. She also raised a pink teddy bear into the air and shouted "yes!"
Cashman was convicted of shooting the nine-year-old dead and wounding Cheryl in their home in August last year.
The drug dealer's relatives protested his innocence and his sister left the courtroom shouting and swearing. She claimed others were responsible for Olivia's death.
Cashman shook his head as the verdict was read out.
He was found guilty of the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, guilty of the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, guilty of wounding Cheryl Korbel with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, guilty of possessing a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life and guilty of possessing a revolver with intent to endanger life.
Cashman claimed he was smoking a "spliff" at an associate's house when the incident occurred.
During the trial, the dad of two claimed: "I’m getting blamed for killing a child. I’ve got my own children. I’m not a killer, I’m a dad. I’m getting blamed for something I haven’t done.”
Prosecuting, David McLachlan KC said in his summing up that Cashman had tried to "pull the wool over your eyes" and was "the gunman who shot Olivia and he is not prepared to own it."
After Cashman's conviction, senior crown prosecutor Maria Corr said it was a "tragic case" and one of the most complex she had dealt with in her career.
Ms Corr, of CPS Mersey Cheshire’s Complex Casework Unit, said: "At the heart of it is a nine-year-old girl who has lost her life. Olivia Pratt-Korbel was in her own home, with her family, where she should have been safe."
“By contrast, Thomas Cashman is a ruthless criminal who recklessly pursued another man, with no consideration of the consequences. He was intent on violence that night, arming himself with two loaded guns.
“He refused to display any guilt or remorse, denying his involvement throughout and putting Olivia’s family through the torment of a lengthy trial.”
Merseyside police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell said added she couldn't "begin to imagine the pain that Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family and loved ones have been through in the past seven months."
The horror of Olivia's death was laid bare in the trial.
Cashman approached Nee from behind outside an address and shot him in the midriff.
His gun malfunctioned as Nee pleaded with him not to shoot him and the targeted drug dealer made his escape.
He made for the Korbel family home and Cheryl attempted to block home from entering.
The commotion had woken up Olivia who was heard screaming "Mum I'm scared!" in midst of the chaos.
Cashman fired with a second gun, a revolver and the bullet missed Nee and went through the door and Cheryl's hand before striking the nine-year-old in the chest.
Nee escaped after a group of men bundled him into a car, but Olivia lay bleeding in her mum's arms.
As she did, the court heard brother Ryan was at the top of the stairs and screamed at Nee.
Cheryl heartbreakingly told the court: “I couldn’t keep her awake."
Police arrived at 10.10pm, and Olivia was tragically declared dead at Alder Hey Children's Hospital at 11.15pm.
