“She hurt your ears because she never stopped talking. And that’s what I miss the most - because I can’t hear her talk.”
Those were the heartbreaking words of Cheryl Korbel as she appeared before the media for the first time since her daughter Olivia was gunned down in her own home. Choking on her tears and with her right hand heavily bandaged from her own gunshot injury, the 46-year-old paid tribute to her “little shadow” who “left a mark on everyone she met”.
In the video released by Merseyside Police on September 6 - just over two weeks after the fatal shooting - the mum-of-three urged those responsible for her youngest daughter’s murder to come forward. What came next sparked one of the largest manhunts this city has ever seen - and culminated in a tear-jerking four week trial in Manchester’s crown court that today saw her killer convicted.
READ MORE: Updates after Thomas Cashman found guilty
Thomas Cashman, 34, and formerly of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, was found guilty by a jury of Olivia’s murder. The drug dealer was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Cheryl, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Olivia’s family’s world was torn apart on the evening of August 22 when a bullet indiscriminately fired by Cashman passed through the front door of their home, on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot, hit her mum in the hand and then struck the schoolgirl in the chest. But the life of the nine-year-old, which has been thrust into the public eye for months, shouldn’t be defined by a handful of hate-filled, violent minutes on that cool summer’s night.
She should be remembered for who she was - a caring, confident, funny and strong-willed girl who “packed a lot into [her] nine years”.
Just days after her death, her family paid tribute to the “unique, chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born”. Olivia, described by her family as nine going on 19, “loved life and all it had to offer”.
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. We know she loved doing her makeup and nails. And we know her life was full of mischief and she loved playing tricks on people.
At Olivia’s funeral, Cheryl remembered how her daughter “knew exactly how to wrap people around her little finger to get what she wanted, especially her brother Ryan and sister Chloe. She would often just give them a cheeky smile and they would give in instantly”.
She often thought she “was the adult” and bossed everyone about, including her two best friends Holly and Hattie.
But Olivia also had a soft, caring side. She loved animals, none more so than her dog Gizmo and parrot Olly. She would often wrap Gizmo in a blanket and push him around the house in a pram.
And she loved riding her new bike up and down the street with her friends.When the ECHO visited Kingsheath Avenue the morning after her death, neighbours said the local children were playing out just hours before the senseless violence was brought to their doorstep.
Olivia loved her family. She went everywhere with her mum and the pair had been enjoying the summer holidays, including a recent trip to Blackpool. They were soon going to buy her a new school uniform - a shopping trip they will never be able to do.
Olivia’s dad, John Francis Pratt, called his daughter “a real bright spark” who “loved to laugh and make people laugh”. A video released by John showed the pair sitting on a merry-go-round at Christmas with Olivia clutching onto his arm - his wide smile only matched by his daughter’s cheeky giggle.
When little Olivia was carried to her final resting place, in a little white coffin adorned with pink butterflies, the streets were lined with mourners. Olivia’s friends, gently encouraged by their teachers, hung the name of their murdered friend in big pink letters on the railings outside their school, St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior.
Archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon said Olivia “will continue to live on in the hearts and memories” of her friends. And she will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of the people of Liverpool.
To remember Olivia solely on the events of August 22 would do the nine-year-old a disservice. It would mark her life as one of violence instead of one of love. Olivia loved and was loved by all who met her.
But we must also remember the violence that was brought to her front door is caused by the thoughtless actions of men who live in a world where disputes over money, pride or territory are settled by deadly violence. Olivia, the little girl who told her mum she was scared in her final moments, wasn’t in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was exactly where she should have felt at her safest - at home with her family.
Olivia’s family said they “lost a huge part” of their life when she was so cruelly taken from them. Nothing will end the nightmare Olivia’s family face moving forward without her. But maybe justice will help ease their pain.
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