A man charged in relation to assisting Thomas Cashman in the murder case of Olivia Pratt-Korbel left Liverpool Magistrates' court in a large police convoy.
Paul Russell, of Snowberry Road, West Derby, appeared in Liverpool Magistrates' Court this morning charged with assisting an offender. The 40-year-old is accused of driving Cashman to an address and disposing of his clothing.
Cashman, from Grenadier Drive, West Derby, was also brought before the court after being charged over the weekend. The 34-year-old has been charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia; two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a firearms with intent to endanger life.
READ MORE: Live updates as Thomas Cashman accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel appears in court
Cashman will appear at a further hearing at 2pm today, on Monday, October 3, where any bail application can be considered. In a brief hearing this morning Russell made no application for bail and was remanded into custody. His case has been sent to Liverpool Crown Court on October 31.
Amid a significant media presence outside the courts building on Derby Square, in the city centre, Russell left via a large police convoy. Police motorcyclists stopped traffic on The Strand to escort Russell from the courts.
During a police press conference over the weekend, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said: "Police have had an overwhelming response and support from the public since the tragic murder of Olivia and I would ask for your continued support so we can keep the promise we made to Olivia's family and the local community to ensure those involved face justice."
DCS Kameen added: "Finally, our thoughts today are with Olivia’s Mum and Dad, Cheryl and John Francis, and their families, who throughout the last few weeks have shown incredible strength, courage, and dignity."
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. If you have any CCTV/dashcam/smart doorbell footage that could help police inquiries they can be downloaded on the dedicated public portal for Olivia's murder, which will go straight through to the investigation team. Footage can be submitted here Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).
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