The founder of Crimestoppers has personally offered a £50,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the killer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel being convicted.
Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, former deputy chairman of the Conservative party, said he wanted to help "catch the cowards" responsible for the nine-year-old's atrocious murder. Olivia was shot dead in her home on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, at around 10pm on Monday, August 22.
A gunman burst through the front door of her home while chasing 35-year-old Joseph Nee, who had himself pushed into the house in a desperate bid to escape. The killer, who was carrying two guns, fired a shot which passed through the wrist of Olivia's mum, Cheryl Korbel, and hit the schoolgirl in the chest.
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Nee was also wounded in the torso and legs during the attack. So far nine people have been arrested in connection with Olivia's murder, but no-one has yet been charged. On Monday this week Merseyside Police announced they were searching the grounds around West Derby Golf Club after a tip-off the murder weapons had been dumped there.
Writing on Twitter, Lord Ashcroft said: "We need to catch the cowards responsible for the death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
"I am offering £50,000 for information, given via @CrimestoppersUK, that leads to them being jailed."
The money will be rewarded to anyone who provides Crimestoppers with new information that leads to the conviction of Olivia's killer. A statement from Crimestoppers said: "As the desperate search for the killer of schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel continues, the Founder and Chair of our charity, Lord Ashcroft, is supporting the investigation by personally offering £50,000 for information that leads to those responsible being jailed.
"Crimestoppers takes vital information about crime completely anonymously, meaning personal details of people contacting them are never asked for or stored. Over 1,500 people contact our charity each day as it provides a safe, alternative way to pass on what they know without any comeback.
"The new appeal is aimed at those in the community who have so far been too scared to come forward."
On Monday, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said: "Olivia’s family are absolutely broken by her tragic loss, which has robbed a beautiful young child of the life and future she should have been looking forward to. Olivia wanted to be a teacher, or a vet and her family have described her as someone who liked to laugh and make others laugh. She was an innocent young child in her own home, who should have been safe.
“Since Olivia’s murder the investigation team has been working around the clock. We have made nine arrests and we are building up an evidential picture, but we still need more information and we need to find the guns.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information which could help us with our investigation to come forward. This offender and those protecting him are a blight on the community and the impact they have on the decent people of the community is toxic.
“The information you have could be that vital piece of information we need to find justice for Olivia and her family. If you know anything please get in touch.
“All information received will be acted upon.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers via its online form here or by calling 0800 555 111
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