Thomas Cashman: Olivia's killer to appeal against murder conviction

The gunman who shot dead nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool has lodged an appeal against his murder conviction.

The schoolgirl was killed after Thomas Cashman, now 35, opened fire as he chased a fellow drug dealer into her home in August 2022.

He was given a mandatory life sentence after being convicted of her murder.

Cashman had an appeal against his 42-year jail term dismissed earlier after his previous bid was rejected.

After that hearing at the Court of Appeal in London, a court official and a lawyer representing Cashman said an appeal against conviction had been lodged.

They said the application had yet to be considered by a judge and no appeal hearing date had been fixed.

Olivia was killed after Cashman"lay in wait" with two guns to attack Joseph Nee, 36, on the evening of 22 August in the Dovecot area of the city.

Fleeing the gunfire, Nee ran towards the open door of Olivia's home after her mother Cheryl Korbel went out to see what the noise was.

Cashman continued shooting and a bullet went through the door and Ms Korbel's hand, before hitting Olivia in the chest.

He was branded a "coward" for refusing to come into court for his sentencing.

During the sentencing appeal hearing earlier, John Cooper KC told judges Dame Victoria Sharp, Mrs Justice McGowan and Mr Justice Chamberlain "aggravating features" were too "heavily relied" on when trial judge Mrs Justice Yip passed sentence.

Mr Cooper argued the "planning" of the crime was given "too much emphasis" by Mrs Justice Yip.

He also said the trial judge had not placed enough emphasis on the age Cashman would be when eligible for release, he added there had been an "over emphasis" on Cashman's "lack of remorse".

Cashman had admitted being a "high-level" cannabis dealer, but told jurors: "I'm not a killer, I'm a dad."

Jurors found him guilty of Olivia's murder, the attempted murder of Nee, the wounding with intent of Ms Korbel, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Dame Victoria said when dismissing Cashman's bid to challenge his 42-year minimum jail term, the "notorious" killing of Olivia had not only shocked Liverpool but the nation.

She said Mrs Justice Yip's sentencing remarks had been "immaculately structured".

"It cannot sensibly be argued that overall sentence imposed was excessive, let alone manifestly excessive," said Dame Victoria.

"Olivia's mother and family are left with a life-long sentence."

She said it was true to say that Cashman will be "well into his 70s" by the time he is eligible for release.

But she added: "That, however, is a consequence by the commission by him of these terrible crimes, rather than any error by [Mrs Justice Yip]."

She went on: "The application for leave is refused."

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