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“Today’s sentence will never bring Olivia back,” Merseyside Police’s detective superintendent Mark Baker said welcoming the sentence outside the crown court.
“The courage and bravery that Olivia’s family have shown is in direct contrast to the cowardness shown by Thomas Cashman,” said Baker, who led the murder investigation. Baker also expressed hope that the 42-year sentence will serve as a deterrent against further gun crime.
“This has been a challenging, complex and emotional inquiry,” he added, thanking the investigation team.
Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, has made a statement outside of the courtroom.
“Olivia was just beautiful with her long brown hair and big brown eyes,” said Cheryl, wearing a sweater bearing a photo of her daughter. “Everyone adored her, she was the baby of our family.”
“Now everything we do, and everywhere we go is a constant reminder that she is not there with us,” said Olivia’s mother. “Justice has prevailed and I cannot begin to express our relief.”
Cheryl added: “We welcome the sentence given but what I can say is that our family and I have already started our life sentence having to spend our lives without Olivia.”
Thanking the public for their support, Olivia’s mother asked for time and space to “process what has happened” over the past few months.
Olivia’s aunt, Louise Pratt spoke on behalf of the family outside the Manchester crown court alongside Oliva’s dad, John.
“We are happy with the outcome but we will not be celebrating as nothing will fill the gap left in our lives following the loss of Olivia,” she said, thanking the jury, police who assisted with the investigation and the anonymous witness who provided evidence.
“Olivia Pratt-Korbel died a scared nine-year-old and we hope Cashman is haunted by this knowledge for the rest of his life,” said Louise.
The court hearing has now ended. We are awaiting further statements from Olivia’s family outside of the court room shortly.
For the murder of Olivia, Cashman has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 42 years.
For the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, Cashman has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 22 years. For wounding Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, Cashman received a further 10 years imprisonment.
For the remaining two firearms offences, Cashman was sentenced to 18 years for each.
Thomas Cashman sentenced to life in prison with minimum term of 42 years
Thomas Cashman has been sentenced to a minimum of 42 years in prison for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Justice Yip said all sentences are to be served concurrently. After Cashman has served the minimum term, he will only be released should the parole board decide.
“The defendant is now aged 34, he is not of previous good character,” said Justice Yip.
“He made it quite clear that he was a criminal who used threats and violence when it suited him”. She said there is no mitigation to be found in his history.
Justice Yip said she did not agree Olivia’s age made her more vulnerable. “The real gravity of this case is that a young child was shot and killed in her own home,” she added.
While there was no intent to kill Olivia, she said the fatal shot was fired with the intent to kill. Justice Yip has determined the shooting was premeditated.
Justice Yip said she concluded the planning and premeditation was not “directed at the child”. She said the seriousness of the murder and other offences, is particularly grave, requiring a lengthy term.
“The evidence, in this case, demonstrates planning going well beyond that,” said Justice Yip, adding the defendant knew which van Joseph Nee was driving, and upon seeing the van again, changed his clothes and got into position.
“This was a targeted, planned, execution attempt,” she said.
Judge begins sentencing by saying murder of Olivia must get mandatory life sentence
“For the murder of Olivia, there is only one sentence that can be passed, that is a mandatory life sentence,” said Justice Yip.
“The sentence will be one of life imprisonment,” she said. “However for reasons I shall explain this is not a case which requires a whole life order.”
Justice Yip described the incident as one that not only shocked Liverpool, but the nation. She said Cashman was focused only on the murder of Joseph Nee and no one else “mattered to him”.
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