The judge presiding over the trial of Thomas Cashman issued a warning after "concern was raised" over something posted online overnight.
High Court judge, Mrs Justice Amanda Yip, addressed a jury at Manchester Crown Court this morning before resuming the trial of 34-year-old Cashman, who denies the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel on August 22 last year.
Justice Yip told the 10 men and two women of the jury that an investigation was underway after an individual posted something on the internet relating to the trial and that "action would be taken".
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman murder trial resumes as man accused of shooting schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel
She said: "Counsel have brought something to my attention which caused concern on both sides. Overnight, there has apparently been inappropriate content in relation to this case put online...
"This is something I regard seriously and something that shouldn't happen...Anyone can put anything, if it's misleading or frankly rubbish, online. It is something serious and something I have to put an investigation in train to stop."
The judge asked the jury to recall the instructions she gave on the first day of the trial, relating to avoiding any "research" about the case outside of the courtroom.
She said: "I am sure you have all been following the rules. This just emphasises why you following the rules is important and you don't go looking for anything online."
The judge also reminded the jurors to try and avoid mainstream media reports of the case. She said while reporting so far had been "responsible", journalists have a "different role" to jurors and may focus on different parts of the case. She said: "I would not want anything to affect this case."
Details of the offending post were not aired in front of the jury.
Olivia, nine, 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.
Cashman, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, denies Olivia's murder or any involvement in the shootings. 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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