A woman who had an on-off sexual relationship with murder accused Thomas Cashman tearfully told a jury her "world came crumbling down" when she was arrested on a train in connection with the killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The witness, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has given evidence claiming that Cashman, 34, turned up at her bedside without warning on the night the nine-year-old was killed, asking for a "pair of pants".
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, at around 10pm on August 22 last year.
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. The woman has told a jury at Manchester Crown Court that she came forward because she "could never forgive" someone who hurt a child.
Today, under questioning from David McLachlan, KC, prosecuting, she described the moment she was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in the early days of the investigation.
She told the jury that she had been out with relatives when she heard information about police searching her house and got the train back to Liverpool. Her voice breaking, she said: "That’s when my world had come crumbling down. We got about 12, 15 police officers swooping on the train."
Earlier, under cross examination by Professor John Cooper, KC, she was asked why she had left certain details out of her initial interviews. She said: "I was petrified. I was getting made out as if I was assisting an offender like I had done something wrong. I’ve got woken by a guy coming into my room after doing a dreadful thing, putting my life in danger."
Mr Cooper asked: "If you’re telling the truth about being petrified, why say anything?"
The woman replied: "I weren’t gonna lie about a little girl. I was petrified to speak about Tommy. He’s gonna come to my address, what’s he gonna be doing to me? I was absolutely mortified I’d been put in that situation.”
Also today, 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 suggested the witness was "lying" about Cashman attending 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.
READ NEXT:
Woman who had 'fling' with Thomas Cashman believed she was pregnant with his child
Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s brother shares moment he ‘knew it was over’ after little sister shot
Thomas Cashman wipes away tears as he hears Olivia’s mum recall shooting
Olivia Pratt-Korbel scooped up in ‘blood-stained pyjamas’ by police officer
Thomas Cashman trial updates as mum says 'I couldn't shut the door' before Olivia Pratt-Korbel shot
Olivia Pratt-Korbel shouted 'mum I'm scared' as shots were fired
