The infectious laugh of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel can be heard in new videos released by her family.
Her family have released the videos after her killer was yesterday jailed for a minimum of 42 years. Thomas Cashman, 34, formerly of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, fatally shot Olivia and injured her mum Cheryl Korbel as he chased convicted criminal Joseph Nee into Olivia's family home on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot.
The cowardly child killer refused to return to the dock to learn his fate. Justice Amanda Yip described his actions as "disrespectful to the family of the deceased".
READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel: the little girl at the heart of heartbreaking murder trial
In the videos, Olivia is dancing, singing and laughing in her living room. The family previously paid tribute to the "unique, chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born".
The ECHO wrote last week how Cheryl's memories of her "sassy diva" who followed her everywhere are now our memories - and they will never be forgotten. We know she loved dressing up and doing her makeup and nails. She also loved playing tricks on her siblings Ryan and Chloe.
Her family previously said: "She loved life and all it had to offer. Liv was adored by everyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone...Although her life was short, her personality wasn't and she lived it to the most she could, and would blow people away with her wit and kindness."
The court heard yesterday in Cheryl's victim impact statement how generous Olivia had been planning on donating 12 inches of her hair to the Princess Trust to help sick children. Part of the video released by her family shows Olivia using a hoover to pull her long hair into a pony-tail before laughing hysterically.
Sentencing Cashman, Justice Amanda Yip said: "The killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel is an offence that shocked not only the city of Liverpool, but the nation. Olivia’s name is likely to be remembered for many years. She should not be remembered only for her dreadful last moments. Her family have spoken today of Olivia in life and of the hopes and dreams for her future, which were so cruelly snatched away.
"It is plain that Olivia was a lovely little girl, who cared for others and brightened the lives of her family and friends. They have suffered an unimaginable loss which they must carry for the rest of their lives."
Olivia's dad John Pratt said the family "have been robbed of her future and the amazing teenager and adult she was destined to become". Cheryl told reporters outside the court: "We have already started our life sentence having to spend the rest of our lives without Olivia."
Cheryl said: "My nine-year-old Liv was the light of our lives, our beautiful, sassy, chatty girl who never ran out of energy, she was a character, she was my baby, she had amazing qualities and knew what she wanted in life."
She added: "Now I have to drive to the cemetery to be close to my baby daughter, I sit with her and talk to her telling her I miss her smile, her kisses. her cuddles, her voice. I tell her she will live on in my heart, she will always be with us, my little shadow. We love you endless amounts Liv."
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Olivia Pratt-Korbel's kind and caring nature shown by selfless act she was planning
'All I want is my baby back': Olivia Pratt-Korbel's dad's heartbreaking words as killer sentenced
