A woman who had a "fling" with Thomas Cashman before schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel was murdered told a jury she was "never interested" in a Crimestoppers reward for information.
Manchester Crown Court has heard that the witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told detectives that 34-year-old Cashman let himself into her house after Olivia, nine, was shot dead on August 22 last year.
The schoolgirl died after a bullet passed through the front door of her family home on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, then through the right hand of her mum, Cheryl Korbel, before striking her in the chest. A jury has heard the gunman was chasing 36-year-old Joseph Nee, who barged into the Korbel home while fleeing for his life.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman murder trial resumes as man accused of shooting schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Cashman, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, denies Olivia's murder and any involvement in the shootings. Today his barrister, Professor John Cooper, KC, continued cross-examining the woman who says she had an on-off sexual relationship with Cashman which ended before the murder.
In a series of tense exchanges, which drew intervention from Judge Mrs Justice Yip, the witness was asked about her financial situation at the time of the shooting. Mr Cooper highlighted a WhatsApp message she sent to a friend which referenced her being "on the bones of my a***."
She also confirmed she had been in debt for £2,500 to Riverside housing association for rent. Mr Cooper suggested: "You were in severe financial difficulty?”
The witness replied: “It was just the rent, I was paying that back. I was actually stable."
Mr Cooper asked the woman if she was aware she had been described as a "key witness" by the police, which she agreed. He said: "Did you have any discussion about a reward?”
She replied: "No, we had a discussion. I think it was about a month ago. We mentioned it in one of the interviews. I went mad. We’ve risked our lives to come forward with this information, and they put that money up. We’ve jeopardised our lives. We’ve come and told you the information. Why would you do that? But it was good, they wanted to find the weapon basically, and more witnesses.
“I’ve never asked or been interested in the money. When we came forward on day two, there was not a reward at all. We already come forward first. There’s no way shape or form we would be entitled to the money."
Mr Cooper read from a transcript of her police interviews, which said: "You said there was a reward for £50k and then £100k, and you jokingly asked Merseyside Police officers Abbey and Dave, would you be entitled to the money?"
The witness said: “No, we were having the conservation. They brought up in conversation they’re going to ask you about the money. It’s never been about money. We came forward day two without any reward being offered. We couldn’t sleep at night. We wanted to the first day, but we couldn’t trust anyone. If you’d done your homework, you’d have seen there was no reward put up when we were in custody. You’re incorrect.
“We have a laugh, You have no banter. We have a little laugh and joke. A new word you’ve learnt today, banter." She was told to "stop it" by Justice Yip.
Mr Cooper suggested the witness was "lying" about Cashman attended her house on the day of the murder, which she denied.
As well as denying Olivia's murder, Cashman denies the attempted murder of Nee, as well as wounding Cheryl Korbel with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.
The trial continues.
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