Drug dealer Thomas Cashman has been found guilty of shooting nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel following a murder trial.
Cashman, 34, was convicted of gunning down the schoolgirl and wounding her mother Cheryl Korbel, 46, after chasing another drug dealer, Joseph Nee, 36, into their home.
Today the jury of 10 men and two women found Cashman guilty after listening to evidence for nearly four weeks, reports the Mirror.
Olivia’s mother Cheryl Korbel sat with her children Chloe and Ryan in the court, wearing a pink cardigan and holding a teddy bear, with the family seen crying as the verdicts were read out.
Cashman 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.
He was also found guilty of possessing a 9mm self loading pistol with intent to endanger life and guilty of possessing a revolver with intent to endanger life.
Paul Russell was also convicted of assisting an offender and will sentenced on Monday alongside Cashman. Following Cashman's conviction, senior crown prosecutor Maria Corr, of CPS Mersey Cheshire’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “This has been a truly tragic case and one of the most complex I have had to deal with in my 32 years with the Crown Prosecution Service.
“Thomas Cashman refused to display any guilt or remorse, denying his involvement throughout and putting Olivia’s family through the torment of a lengthy trial.”
David McLachlan KC, said in his summing up for the prosecution that Cashman was "the gunman who shot Olivia and he is not prepared to own it."
Cashman, of West Derby, Liverpool, had denied murdering Olivia, the attempted murder of Nee, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Olivia’s mother, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was found unanimously guilty on all counts.
Olivia had been in bed when she heard a commotion outside her home around 10pm in Dovecot, Liverpool and her mum had gone outside to find out what was happening. She was heard screaming "Mum I'm scared!" in midst of the chaos.
The gunman fired three shots at Nee from a 9mm self-loading pistol, one shot hitting him in the midriff. Nee stumbled but, as the attacker stood over him, his gun jammed and the victim ran to Olivia’s house to escape.
Cheryl tried to keep Nee from coming into her home as he was pursued and the gun was fired again. The bullet missed Nee, went through the front door, through Cheryl's right hand and hit Olivia in the centre of her chest.
Police arrived at 10.10pm, and Olivia was tragically declared dead at Alder Hey Children's Hospital at 11.15pm. Olivia’s mother was taken to Aintree Hospital for treatment of her right hand.
During the trial, mum Cheryl told how she thought she was going to die herself after the attack. The court heard that as she cradled her bleeding daughter, Olivia’s brother Ryan was at the top of the stairs and screamed at Nee.
Describing how Olivia lay limp in her arms, Cheryl heartbreakingly told the court: “I couldn’t keep her awake."
Cheryl said: "Olivia loved to sing and dance, she was always singing along to songs she enjoyed especially in the car where she was always in control of the CD player.
“Olivia had a great imagination. She was always doing impressions of her friends and parents and teachers at school.
“Liv was loved and adored by everyone and she will never be forgotten. I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, I love you, and see you in the morning.”
Cashman was seen shaking his head as the verdict was read out, and his relatives left the courtroom shouting, and swearing as they protested his innocence.
Cashman's sister claimed others were responsible for Olivia’s murder as she was removed from the court building by police and court security.
The jury heard how Nee had convictions for conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, possession with intent to supply controlled drugs, possession of controlled drugs, burglary and theft, aggravated vehicle taking, theft of or from vehicles, associated motoring offences and a public order offence.
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