Thomas Cashman: Gunman who killed 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel loses bid to appeal conviction

The gunman who killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her own home has lost his bid to appeal 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 escaping.

in April 2023 sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 42 years.

The Court of Appeal previously rejected his bid to appeal his sentence last November.

On Wednesday, lawyers representing Cashman, 36, told the same court that a new investigation should be launched into allegations that jurors were given panic alarms by police and given evidence during deliberations that was not presented at trial.

But three senior judges rejected the appeal.

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

He added: “The result, of course, is that Mr Cashman remains convicted as before.”

Cashman did not attend either the hearing or the sentencing.

At the hearing, Cashman’s lawyer, John Cooper KC, said an allegation was made that jurors were given panic alarms during the trials, but there was no evidence to support his claim.

Another claim is that the relevant documents Paul RussellThe suspects, who had already pleaded guilty to aiding Cashman after the murder, were given to the jury during their deliberations but not presented for trial.

Mr Cooper said: “The allegation is so serious it would be wrong not to launch an investigation.

“We only want an investigation. We do not demand a solution.

“If such serious allegations are made, it is in the public interest for them to be proven or eliminated.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) opposed the appeal, with barrister David McLachlan KC telling the court there was “no evidence” of the allegations.

Cashman’s trial at Manchester Crown Court heard Olivia was shot while chasing convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee.

As Nee tried to run to the schoolgirl’s house to escape, Cashman opened fire, hitting Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, in the wrist.

The same bullet killed Olivia.

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