Law would keep murdered girl's 'legacy alive'

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead by Thomas Cashman in the Dovecot area of Liverpool in August 2022

A law imposing tougher penalties on criminals who refuse to attend court for sentence would keep the legacy of murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel alive, her mother said.

The nine-year-old was shot dead by a stray bullet fired by drug dealer Thomas Cashman during a failed attempt to kill a rival in Dovecot, Liverpool, in August 2022.

Cashman refused to come out of his cell to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in April 2023, and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 42 years in prison in his absence.

Cheryl Korbel - who has campaiged to introduce the legislation which has become known as "Olivia's Law" - said she hoped it will be in force by spring.

The bill, formally called the Victims and Courts Bill, was introduced to Parliament in May and after passing its second reading is being dealt with in the House of Lords.

It would mean that criminals who refuse to attend sentencing, or disrupt hearings in England and Wales, could face an additional two years in prison as well as other sanctions such as missing out on family visits.

Cheryl Korbel's campaign has led her to meet two Prime Ministers since her daughter was murdered

Speaking at an event to announce the winners of Liverpool's The Guide Heroes award, Ms Korbel said: "It's keeping Liv alive, keeping her legacy alive.

"And again, this law coming in, no other family's going to have to go through the same thing that we did."

Since losing her daughter, Ms Korbel's campaign has led her to meet prime ministers Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer either side of last year's general election.

In May, Sir Keir praised Ms Korbel, saying her determination to bring about change would be "heard by the whole world".

"I was thrown into a world that I was unaware of, knew nothing about," she said.

"I'm not very political so to actually go and meet two prime ministers, it did blow my head a little bit.

"It still doesn't seem real."