Pain of losing Olivia still indescribable, mum says

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was murdered in her own home when gunman Thomas Cashman opened fire in August 2022

Three years ago, nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed when a gunman fired bullets through the front door of her family home.

Thomas Cashman, who was 35 at the time, murdered the schoolgirl while trying to shoot drug-dealer Joseph Nee in a botched assassination in Dovecot, Liverpool, on 22 August, 2022.

Speaking ahead of the third anniversary of her daughter's death, Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel said the pain of her loss remained "indescribable".

"It has been three years since I last heard her laugh, put her to bed or held her hand but the pain of her loss still feels like it happened yesterday," she said.

Ms Korbel said knowing Olivia would never fulfil her dreams was "devastating"

Shortly before 22:00 BST, Cashman armed himself with two guns and waited for Mr Nee to leave a friend's house.

He then opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun at Mr Nee but the gun malfunctioned.

Ms Korbel, alarmed by the noise outside, opened the front door of her house, which prompted Mr Nee to try to barge inside to escape.

Cashman pulled out his back-up firearm, a revolver, and chased Mr Nee to the doorway where he fired the fatal shot before running away.

The bullet passed through Ms Korbel's wrist, before fatally hitting the schoolgirl in the chest.

Olivia's murder sent shocked the nation

"She had her whole life ahead of her and the pain of her loss is indescribable," said Ms Korbel.

"I will never see her grow up, get married, have children of her own or fulfil her dreams and that is devastating."

The motive for the shooting was never established and Mr Nee did not co-operate with police.

Cashman was convicted of Olivia's murder, the attempted murder of Mr Nee, wounding Ms Korbel with intent and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in 2023.

He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years in prison.

After he was found guilty by a jury, Cashman refused to leave his cell to face sentence at Manchester Crown Court, prompting a successful campaign for a change in the law.

A new bill was introduced in May in parliament that could give judges additional powers to punish offenders who skip their sentencing.

Ms Korbel carried a teddy bear into court with her to hear Cashman's sentencing

Days before Olivia's death, 22-year-old Sam Rimmer was also fatally shot in Dingle.

In the same week, 28-year-old Ashley Dale was killed in her own home in Old Swan.

Following the killings, Merseyside Police was given funding by the Home Office for an operation called Clear, Hold, Build, known locally as Evolve.

It was designed to reclaim areas worst affected by serious and organised crime and rebuild safer and stronger communities.

Merseyside was one of the first forces in the UK to implement this model, ahead of its national rollout in January 2023.

Ms Korbel has joined the campaign - alongside other victims' families - to urge communities to "speak out" against violent crime.

"Evolve was created to help prevent further tragedies and other families from having to endure the pain we feel every single day," said Ms Korbel.

"While it's making a difference we need your help.

"To keep our communities safest, if you know anything about criminality, please speak out."

Det Ch Supt Graeme Robson, who leads Evolve, said: "This is not just about numbers – this is about lives. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to crime.

"While serious and organised crime in Merseyside is falling, one weapon fired is one too many.

"We are working tirelessly with our partners to create safer communities.

"The results are impressive, but we are not stopping here."