Thomas Cashman: Gunman who murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, loses bid to challenge conviction

20 November 2024, 12:07 | Updated: 20 November 2024, 13:33

A gunman who murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her own home has lost a bid to challenge his conviction at the Court of Appeal.

Thomas Cashman chased a drug dealer who tried to run into the young girl's home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, in August 2022.

He opened fire on the house, killing the young girl, before fleeing.

In April 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 42 years.

The Court of Appeal previously threw out a bid to challenge his sentence last November.

On Wednesday, barristers representing Cashman, 36, told the same court it should order a fresh investigation into claims jurors were provided with panic alarms by police and allegations they were given evidence during deliberations that wasn't presented at trial.

However, three senior judges dismissed the appeal bid.

Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Sir Stephen Irwin and Mr Justice Hilliard, said full reasons for their decision would follow at a later date.

He added: "The effect, of course, is that Mr Cashman remains convicted as before."

Cashman did not attend the hearing - nor his sentencing.

The hearing heard from Cashman's barrister John Cooper KC who said an allegation had been made that panic alarms were given to jurors during proceedings, but that no evidence was available to support his claim.

A further allegation claimed that documents relating to Paul Russell, who had already pleaded guilty to assisting Cashman following the murder, were given to the jury during its deliberations but were not presented at trial.

Mr Cooper said: "The allegation is of such seriousness that it would be wrong for an investigation not to be ordered.

"We are just asking for an investigation. We are not asking for a resolution.

"It is in the public interest that if allegations of such a serious nature are made, they are substantiated or put to bed."

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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) opposed the appeal, with its barrister David McLachlan KC telling the court there was "simply no evidence" for the claims.

Cashman's trial at Manchester Crown Court heard that Olivia was shot as he chased convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee.

As Nee tried to run into the schoolgirl's home to escape, Cashman opened fire, hitting Olivia's mum, Cheryl Korbel, in the wrist.

The same bullet killed Olivia.

(c) Sky News 2024: Thomas Cashman: Gunman who murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, loses bid to challenge conviction