Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Man charged with murdering nine-year-old
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Thomas Cashman, 34, has also been charged with the attempted murder of Olivia’s mother Cheryl Korbel, and Joseph Nee, 35. He will appear in court on Monday.
Olivia was shot as Cheryl, 46, tried to stop a gunman with two firearms entering their home six weeks ago.
He was apparently chasing Mr Nee who had burst into the property in Dovecot, Liverpool at around 10pm on August 22. But Olivia was shot in the chest.
A police officer tried in vain to save the little girl’s life by using her hand to cover her gunshot wound as he carried her into hospital. Cheryl’s wrist was injured in the shooting.
The murder stunned the country and set shockwaves through Merseyside.
Cashman, of West Derby, was arrested on Thursday and charged today. He faces two further counts of possessing a firearm to endanger life.
A second man, 40-year old Paul Russell, also from West Derby, has been charged with assisting an offender after being arrested on Friday. He will appear alongside Cashman at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on monday.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Maria Corr of CPS Mersey-Cheshire’s Complex Casework Unit said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge Thomas Cashman, 34, with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel and the attempted murder of Joseph Nee and Cheryl Korbel on 22 August 2022.
“He has also been charged with two counts of possession of a firearm to endanger life. We have further authorised the police to charge Paul Russell, 40, with assisting an offender.
“Prosecutors from CPS Mersey-Cheshire’s Complex Case Unit authorised the charges following a review of a file of evidence received from Merseyside Police. Our thoughts are with Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family at this time.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said the police remained committed to finding all those involved in the tragedy, including “the people who have tried to shield and protect individuals”.
He said: “Our work continues in earnest. At the beginning of the investigation we were firm in our commitment to finding all of those involved in this case, which includes the people who have tried to shield and protect individuals, and those who have supplied the weapon or are hiding the weapons used in this incident.
“We have had an overwhelming response and support from the public since the tragic murder of Olivia and I would ask for your continued support so we can keep the promise we made to Olivia’s family and the local community to ensure that those involved face justice.”
On September 15 hundreds of mourners atttended her funeral service at St Margaret Mary’s Church in Dovecot, just streets away from where the shooting happened.
Pink ties, jackets, scarves and bows were worn by those attending the service after her family asked people to wear a “splash of pink”.
Ms Korbel carried a pink teddy bear into the service, during which she said: “Liv touched so many people’s hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten.
“I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning.”
The investigation into Olivia’s murder is ongoing and the force continues to appeal for people with information to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
A police spokesman added: “If you have any CCTV/dashcam/smart doorbell footage that could help our inquiries they can be downloaded on the dedicated public portal for Olivia’s murder, which will go straight through to the investigation team. Footage can be submitted at the Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).”
