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Murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel

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Murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Family photograph of Pratt-Korbel
LocationDovecot, Liverpool, England
Date22 August 2022 (2022-08-22)
c. 10 pm BST (UTC+01)
Deaths1
Injured2
ConvictedThomas Cashman
Charges
JudgeMrs Justice Yip

On 22 August 2022, Olivia Pratt-Korbel, a nine-year-old girl, was shot by a masked gunman in Liverpool, England, and was pronounced dead the same day at the city's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.[1][2] The attack took place at the doorstep of Pratt-Korbel's family home in Dovecot; the intended target of the attack was a 35-year-old gang member who had criminal convictions for drug dealing and burglary. During the attack, Pratt-Korbel was with her mother. A shot by the gunman passed through her mother's wrist and Pratt-Korbel's chest.[1]

Background

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was an English girl born on 13 June 2013.[3] Her mother, Cheryl Korbel, was aged 46 at the time of the shooting.[4] Olivia had an older brother and sister and lived in Liverpool, North West England.[5][6]

Thomas Edward Cashman is an English father-of-two born on 4 September 1988 in Liverpool.[7][8] Prior to being jailed he was living in West Derby, Liverpool.[9] Cashman grew up in Liverpool with four siblings. He left school at the age of 13 before going to work at a fairground in Wales. He then returned to Liverpool to become a drug dealer and sold cannabis at a small-scale.[7] His cannabis dealing scale increased as time went on and at the time of his arrest he was earning between £3,000 and £5,000 a week by selling large quantities.[10] He had 18 previous convictions for 33 offences.[11]

Killing

Around 10 pm on 22 August 2022,[2] Pratt-Korbel's mother Cheryl Korbel heard a disturbance outside her family home in Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, and opened her front door, with Pratt-Korbel behind her. Joseph Nee, a 35-year-old "well-established organised crime group member" and one of two men fleeing from an unknown gunman, attempted to force himself into her home.[12] While Nee attempted to enter the house, the gunman, who was wearing a balaclava and a black jacket, approached the house and shot four times. One of the bullets went through Cheryl's wrist and into Pratt-Korbel's chest.

The inquest heard that a police officer attempted to save Olivia's life after the shooting.[13]

Nee, the intended target of the attack, was a convicted drug dealer and burglar. He had been released on licence in 2021, halfway through his sentence.[12][1] Pratt-Korbel's siblings were in the house upstairs during the attack.[6] Pratt-Korbel was later declared dead at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool.[1][2] Merseyside Police understood that Nee walked away from Pratt-Korbel and her mother to get in an escape vehicle, a black Audi car.[12] The next day, he was arrested for breaching his licence conditions and was returned to prison.[12]

Investigation

During the late night of 25 August 2022, a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Pratt-Korbel and two counts of attempted murder from his flat in Huyton.[14]

On 30 August 2022, the two men were released.[15] On 1 September, Merseyside Police released CCTV footage of the gunman.[16] On 4 September 2022 one man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and two others detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.[17] On 7 September the suspects were bailed.[18] On 8 September another man was arrested.[19] A ninth man was arrested on 10 September 2022.[20]

On 29 September, police arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of murder.[21] On 30 September, a man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.[22] On 1 October 34-year old Thomas Cashman was charged with the murder, two counts of attempted murder as well as two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. 40-year-old Paul Russell was also charged with assisting an offender.[23] The two men appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 3 October.[24] On 21 December 2022, Thomas Cashman appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink from HMP Manchester and pleaded not guilty to all five charges.[25]

Cashman had been apprehended after a tip-off from a former partner, who lived nearby and he had visited shortly after the murder.[26][27] She recounted that he arrived in a panicked state and was asking for a change of clothes.[27] When she originally came forward to the police after hearing about the child murder on the news she was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, before police realised she held crucial information and was willingly cooperating.[27] There was independent evidence to corroborate her account, as the clothes she said she gave to Cashman were then recovered hidden inside a pram box in Cashman's sister's home with his DNA on them, and gunshot residue was found on the leg of the tracksuit bottoms.[28][29] The woman also recounted overhearing Cashman saying something along the lines of "I've done Joey" to Paul Russell, her partner.[28] Russell would later plead guilty to assisting offender Cashman by driving him away from the address and disposing of a bag given to him by Cashman, which he believed contained clothes.[30]

Other evidence against Cashman was the existence of CCTV which showed him circling the area where the attack on Nee would later take place, showing him driving around in his van on multiple occasions and walking around the area on foot.[29] It was believed that Cashman was carrying out reconnaissance of the area to look for Nee and determine whether he had parked his car by an address on that road (which he had).[29] CCTV had shown Cashman had driven his van to the area from his own address at around 3pm, and also that he had repeatedly returned to Mab Lane, where the home of the key female witness who would later testify Cashman rushed to after the killing was located.[31] CCTV of the gunman that night also showed him wearing a pair of tracksuit bottoms that matched the style of and design of those worn by Cashman.[32] When police searched Cashman's home they also found hidden cables from missing CCTV recorders, and also discovered that one of these had last been connected on 25 August, days after the shooting.[32] However, the CCTV recorders themselves were missing.[32]

Cashman acknowledged he had been in the area that day as a 'drug-dealer', but denied that he was the gunman.[33] The attacker had fired two guns that night against Nee, and Cashman was found to have two guns at his address, a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.[33] One of these guns was found by police to have been linked to two previous shootings in the area, one of which involved a previous attempt to kill Nee only two weeks prior to Pratt-Korbel's murder, for which Cashman was already considered a suspect.[28]

Trial, conviction and sentencing

The trial began at Manchester Crown Court on 7 March 2023, before Mrs Justice Amanda Yip.[34][35] On 30 March 2023, Thomas Cashman was found guilty of the murder of Olivia along with the wounding of Olivia's mother, the attempted murder of his intended target and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.[36] The guns used were a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.[37] Paul Russell had pleaded guilty to assisting an offender in October 2022, but the media were unable to report on it until the conclusion of Cashman's trial.[30] Russell had assisted Cashman by driving him away from an address and disposing of a bag given to him by Cashman, which Russell believed to contain items of clothing.[30]

On 3 April 2023, Thomas Cashman was sentenced to life imprisonment for Olivia's murder, as well as for the attempted murder of his intended target; he was ordered to serve a minimum of 42 years before being considered for parole. He was sentenced to 10 years for the wounding of Olivia's mother, and received two 18 year sentences for both counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, with all of the sentences to run concurrently. Cashman was not in court to hear his sentence.[38] On 26 April 2023, Paul Russell was sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment.[39]

Cashman was 34 years old at the time of his sentencing. He will become eligible to be considered for parole on 22 March 2064, at which time he will be in his mid-70s.[40][41]

In late April 2023, it was reported that Cashman was to appeal to have his sentence reduced.[42] In July 2023, he was refused permission to appeal his sentence.[43]

Reactions

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the killing as a "horrific, senseless shooting". Johnson added: "This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will ensure Merseyside Police get whatever they need to catch those responsible and secure justice for Olivia."[44] Home Secretary Priti Patel visited the site of the shooting and pledged more money for Merseyside Police to reduce weapons and violence.[45]

Liverpool F.C. manager Jürgen Klopp called the killing "such a tragedy" and said "If we can help, we will".[45] Everton F.C. manager Frank Lampard encouraged people to inform police if they had information about the attack.[46] Liverpool held a tribute for Olivia Pratt-Korbel during their match against Bournemouth, which was their first match since the shooting.[47] In the following month's Merseyside derby, the fans of the two clubs also paid tribute to her at the ninth minute of the match.[48]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dodd, Vikram; Brown, Mark; Vinter, Robyn (23 August 2022). "Gangland murder attempt blamed for shooting of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Former drug dealer held after Liverpool shooting". BBC News. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  3. ^ Nicholson, Abigail (15 September 2022). "Every word Olivia's mum said about her 'beautiful baby girl'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  4. ^ Patel-Carstairs, Sunita (26 August 2022). "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Family and friends of Liverpool shooting victim share 'heartbreaking' photos, videos and memories of 'one in a million' schoolgirl". Sky News. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  5. ^ Lovett, Samuel; Drury, Colin (26 August 2022). "Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family plea for information after Liverpool shooting". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b Kingsley, Thomas (26 August 2022). "Man arrested on suspicion of murdering girl, 9, shot dead in Liverpool home". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b Pettifor, Tom; Sommerlad, Nick; Bone, Hollie (30 March 2023). "'Untouchable' Olivia killer's reign of terror and links to 3 unsolved murders". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  8. ^ Bolton, Will; Evans, Martin (31 March 2023). "Thomas Cashman was 'feared enforcer' for crime group". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Thomas Cashman found guilty of murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". Merseyside Police. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder-accused was 'high-level' drug dealer". BBC News. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Mum remembers 'sassy, chatty girl' as Thomas Cashman is jailed - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d Dodd, Vikram; Vinter, Robyn (24 August 2022). "Target of gunman who shot Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool arrested". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: PC scooped up girl and ran, inquest told". BBC News. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  14. ^ Kirwin, Ellen; Ferguson, Angela (26 August 2022). "Police arrest 36-year-old man on suspicion of murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". CheshireLive. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  15. ^ Stephens, Daisy (27 August 2022). "Two men arrested over shooting of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, released on bail as police warn 'silence is not an option'". LBC. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  16. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Police release footage of fleeing gunman". BBC News. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Arrests over nine-year-old's murder". BBC News. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Man held on suspicion of murder bailed". BBC News. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Further arrest in girl's murder probe". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Ninth man arrested in connection with murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". ITV News. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Man arrested on suspicion of murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". ITV News. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Further arrest over Liverpool shooting". BBC News. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  23. ^ Mercer, David (2 October 2022). "Man charged with murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool". Sky News. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Man in court accused of murdering schoolgirl". BBC. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  25. ^ Everett, Adam (21 December 2022). "Thomas Cashman pleads not guilty to murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  26. ^ Hosburgh, Lynette; Shoesmith, Ian (31 March 2023). "Thomas Cashman: 'Brave' ex-partner helped convict Olivia's killer". BBC. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  27. ^ a b c Robson, Steve (30 March 2023). "Olivia Pratt-Korbel trial: How one woman rejected Liverpool's 'no grass' culture to help jail Thomas Cashman". i. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  28. ^ a b c Humphries, Jonathan (31 March 2023). "The dark truth about Thomas Cashman... a drug dealer turned child killer who became the most hated man in Britain". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  29. ^ a b c "The Big Cases: Caught in the Crossfire". BBC IPlayer. BBC. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  30. ^ a b c "Getaway driver Paul Russell to be sentenced for assisting Thomas Cashman after murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". Sky News. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  31. ^ Humphries, Jonathan; Everett, Adam (8 March 2023). "Thomas Cashman jury shown CCTV footage of his movements hours before Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  32. ^ a b c "Olivia's mother 'ecstatic' as Cashman guilty of murder". BBC News. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  33. ^ a b "UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Thomas Cashman, guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, sentenced to life". Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). 3 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel cried 'Mum I'm scared' before shooting - court". BBC News. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  35. ^ Horsburgh, Lynette; Lazaro, Rachael (3 April 2023). "Thomas Cashman: Olivia Pratt-Korbel's killer jailed for life". BBC News. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  36. ^ Stanley, Emma; Hirst, Lauren (30 March 2023). "Thomas Cashman guilty of Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting murder". BBC News. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Thomas Cashman guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel | The Crown Prosecution Service". www.cps.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  38. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Thomas Cashman jailed for 42 years for her murder". BBC News. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  39. ^ Hirst, Lauren; Mullen, Tom (26 April 2023). "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Man who helped schoolgirl's killer jailed". BBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  40. ^ "Thomas Cashman who shot dead Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, jailed for at least 42 years". Sky News. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  41. ^ "Thomas Edward Cashman". The Law Pages. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Thomas Cashman appeals to have jail term reduced for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". ITV News. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  43. ^ "Thomas Cashman: Olivia killer loses bid to fight jail sentence". BBC News. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  44. ^ Thorp, Liam (23 August 2022). "Boris Johnson responds to 'horrific' death of Olivia Pratt-Korbel". Liverpool Echo.
  45. ^ a b "Olivia Pratt-Korbel live updates: Jurgen Klopp calls nine-year-old's killing 'such a tragedy' as Priti Patel makes £350K pledge to 'get weapons off the streets'". Sky News. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  46. ^ Vinter, Robyn (25 August 2022). "Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting: police say they have identified second fleeing man". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  47. ^ "Liverpool fans pay tribute to Olivia Pratt-Korbel". BBC News. 27 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Tribute at Everton v Liverpool game". BBC News. 3 September 2022.
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