Olivia Pratt-Korbel died a painful death on 22 August 2022 after drug dealer Thomas Cashman fatally shot her. Let’s meet her family and where her killer is now.
Thomas Cashman has been convicted of murdering schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel last August after a botched attempt to kill convicted burglar Joseph Nee.
Per TheSun, he was a feared enforcer for one of the UK’s most powerful and secretive crime groups who had made a name for himself on Merseyside as a terrifying hitman.
The publication adds that the Huyton mafia worked with the Kinahan Cartel – an Irish-based drug gang now hit with a raft of sanctions by the US government.
At the time of the gruesome incident, Olivia’s mother, whom she was seeking protection from when Cashman made his way into their house, was also wounded.
Here’s everything we know about victim Olivia Pratt-Korbel; her family, and what happened to her.
Who was Olivia Pratt-Korbel?
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was an English girl born on 13 June 2013.
Her mother, Cheryl Korbel, was aged 46 at the time of the shooting.
Olivia had an older brother and sister and lived in Liverpool, North West England.
She gained worldwide attention after she was revealed as a victim whose life was cut short at her home in Dovecot on August 22, 2022.
Murderer Cashman was part of a failed gangland hit when he fatally wounded Olivia as she was seeking protection behind her mum.
What happened to Olivia Pratt-Korbel?
A young innocent girl, Olivia Pratt Korbel’s life was cut short after she was brutally killed at age 9.
On August 22, 2022, Olivia was shot and killed when a gunman forced his way into her home in Dovecot, Liverpool.
In a tragic turn of events, Olivia was not the intended target of the shooting, but a harmless victim of gun crime.
At around 10pm on Monday, August 22, 2022, two men were walking along Kingsheath Avenue from the direction of Finch Lane — close to Olivia’s family home.
The men were approached by a man wearing a black padded jacket, black balaclava with a peak, dark pants, and black gloves.
Responding to the sound of gunfire, Olivia’s mum Cheryl opened the door to her property to see what was going on outside.
As she did, one of the men — Joseph Nee, who was fleeing the gunfire — noticed the front door open and made his way towards it.
Despite her best efforts to try and close the door, Nee forced his way inside the home, followed by the gunman.
Nine-year-old Olivia was believed to have been standing behind her mother when the gunman opened fire once more, hitting Cheryl in the wrist and Olivia in the chest.
A further two bullets were fired at the man who forced his way into the home as the gunman continued to try to gain entry.
Just moments after the gunman fled the scene, a black Audi arrived outside to take the injured man to hospital.
Both Olivia and Cheryl were left in the doorway bleeding from their injuries.
The mother and daughter were taken to two separate hospitals.
However, the injuries Olivia suffered were fatal, tragically resulting in her death.
Where is Thomas Cashman now?
Cashman is currently in prison after receiving a hefty sentence by Judge Mrs Justice Yip.
On September 29, 2022, a month after the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, the gangster was arrested.
He was charged with murder, Possession of an illegal firearm, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, and assisting an offender (Paul Russell).
Cashman was found guilty of the murder of Olivia on March 30, 2023.
He denied all of the charges, including murder, but was convicted after a three-week trial.
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.
He will become eligible to be considered for parole on 22 March 2064, at which time he will be in his mid-70s.
Cashman was not in court to hear his sentence.
Cashman was 34 years old at the time of his sentencing.
In late April 2023, it was reported that Cashman was to appeal to have his sentence reduced. In July 2023, he was refused permission to appeal his sentence.
He had 18 previous convictions for 33 offences.