Olivia's heartbroken mum has said Thomas Cashman continued to shoot even after hearing "terrifying screams" from inside her home.
Thomas Cashman, 34, formerly of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, is being sentenced at Manchester Crown Court this afternoon after being found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel. After arriving at court earlier today surrounded by armed police the court heard Cashman would not be appearing in the court room.
Cashman was convicted of one of the most atrocious crimes in Merseyside's history. Justice Amanda Yip, who presided over his trial, will be required to set a minimum term which the 34-year-old must serve behind bars before he is considered eligible for release.
READ MORE: Armed police surround road as Thomas Cashman arrives in court ahead of sentencing
Before his sentencing the prosecution read out a number of personal statements from Olivia's family. Cheryl Korbel, Olivia’s mum, stood and read her own statement in court.
In the statement she said how she "couldn't get her head around" how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing "terrifying screams" from inside her home.
She also described how the family has been forced to move from their home on Kingsheath Avenue.
She said: “Packing up our home was horrendous. Packing clothes, her toys, packing my baby’s things into a box. No mother should ever have to do that.
“We left our friends, our neighbours. It’s so hard to go back to the area I grew up in and raised my children.
“The smallest things remind me of Liv, her friends playing in the street. It’s hard to accept she is no longer here. Moving into the new house was difficult for us. Not having her favourite food in the fridge.
“The night I realised Liv had been shot, I was not able to do CPR properly because of my injury. I did not have full use of my hand and I felt helpless. My neighbour tried all he could to save my baby. My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv and not being there when she needed me most.
“I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrifying screams. The utter devastation he has caused, he doesn’t care. How could he?”
The ECHO will be giving live updates from the courtroom throughout his hearing.
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