Thomas Cashman will spend decades behind bars for the murder of Liverpool schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel after he was handed a life sentence at Manchester Crown Court this afternoon.
The 34-year-old shot nine-year-old Olivia dead as he chased convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee into her home in on August 22 last year. Olivia's mother, 46-year-old Cheryl Korbel, was also injured in the incident, which took place in the Dovecot area of Liverpool.
After a 19-day trial, Cashman was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent. The jury also found him guilty of the attempted murder of Nee and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman sentencing live updates as Olivia Pratt-Korbel murderer to be jailed
Mrs Justice Yip said Cashman's attack of Nee was an 'attempted, planned execution attempt'. She sentenced Cashman to a life sentence with a minimum of 42 years.
The judge said: "For the murder of Olivia there is only once sentence that can be passed. That is of mandatory life imprisonment." She said a life order is not merited because the planning and premeditation was not directed at the child but Joseph Nee.
However, she warned Cashman that he may "spend the rest of his days in prison", telling the court that his release would be a matter for the parole board.
The murderer was sentenced in his absence after he refused to appear in the dock. John Cooper KC, representing Cashman, said the defendant did not attend the hearing as he was aware that the CPS were singing 'We are the Champions' following the verdict in his trial last week.
Mr Cooper told the court: “He has been spoken to and been given certain advice but he is concerned that the matter is turning into a circus.” Mrs Justice Yip said she regarded his lack of attendance as “disrespectful” to not only the court but those interested in proceedings, including the family of the deceased.
The court previously heard that Cashman was a “high-level” cannabis dealer who operated in the area. He had been “scoping out” Nee, the intended target, on the day of the shooting and lay in wait for him, armed with two guns, as he watched a football match at the house of a friend.
Footage played to the jury showed the gunman, wearing tracksuit bottoms which matched a pair worn by Cashman, chasing Nee up Kingsheath Avenue and firing three shots. The jury was told Nee ran towards the open door of Olivia’s family home, after Ms Korbel came out to see what the noise was, and the fatal shot was fired through the front door. It hit Ms Korbel in the wrist as she tried to shut the door and struck Olivia in the chest.
In her sentencing remarks, Mrs Justice Yip told the court that Olivia had got out of her bed and gone downstairs after hearing the commotion outside. “Unsurprisingly, she sought the comfort of her mother. Her last words were mum, I’m scared," she told the court.
“In a terrible twist of fate she had stepped directly into the line of fire. As her mother battled to keep the door closed, the defendant fired a shot that passed straight through the door, through Cheryl Korbel’s wrist and into Olivia’s chest, killing her. The defendant fired another shot inside the house. Fortunately, the bullet discharged into the doorframe - avoiding the people inside."
Mrs Justice Yip added: “Olivia was coming downstairs to seek reassurance. Cheryl Korbel should have been able to give that reassurance and tuck Olivia back into bed. What happened was chilling. Shooting into a family home with no regard for who may be caught in the crossfire is obviously a very significant aggravating factor.”
She told the court that Cashman "has not acknowledged his responsibility for Olivia’s death and not shown any remorse", adding that his imprisonment was a loss to his family that he "is wholly responsible for".
During the trial, a woman who had a fling with Cashman told the jury he came to her house after the shooting, where he changed his clothes and she heard him say he had “done Joey”. She has been given lifelong anonymity.
Mrs Justice Yip praised the bravery of the witness in her sentencing remarks and said: “The defendant invented a defence designed to humiliate and undermine her. It did not work. She was subjected to lengthy questioning about the most intimate details, but she stood firm. I am sorry that she had to endure that but endure it she did, and her courage is to be applauded."
Following the sentencing, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Mark Baker, of Merseyside Police, said the “courage and bravery of Olivia’s family” was “in direct contrast to the cowardice shown by Thomas Cashman”.
Speaking outside court, he said: “We welcome today’s sentence which reflects the severity of the crime committed by Thomas Cashman and he now has a long time behind bars to contemplate his actions. In fact, he won’t be out until he’s a very old man."
He continued: “We heard earlier from (Olivia’s family) of the devastating impact her death has had on all families and friends. Today’s sentence will never bring Olivia back. I again thank the witness who assisted in bringing justice for Olivia family. She did the correct thing and she should be proud of herself."
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