Man charged with murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel

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A 34-year-old man has been charged with murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel five weeks after she was shot in the chest at her home in Liverpool.

Thomas Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, west Derby, is accused of killing nine-year-old Olivia, who died after convicted burglar Joseph Nee was chased into her family’s property in Dovecot on 22 August.

Cashman has also been charged with the attempted murders of Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, 46, who was injured during the incident, and Nee.

He faces two further counts of possessing a firearm to endanger life.

A second man, Paul Russell, 40, Snowberry Road, also in west Derby, has been charged with assisting an offender, the chief crown prosecutor Maria Corr said at a press conference at Merseyside police headquarters on Saturday.

Both defendants will appear at Liverpool magistrates court on Monday.

Corr said the charges had been authorised after “the review of a file of evidence received from Merseyside police”.

DCI 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.”

Earlier this month, Olivia’s funeral was held at St Margaret Mary’s Church in Knotty Ash.

Pink ties, jackets, scarves and bows were worn by those attending the service after her family asked people to wear a “splash of pink”.

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.”