Thomas Cashman will not appear in Manchester Crown Court today to hear his sentence for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Cashman, 34, formerly of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, earlier arrived at the court building surrounded by armed police to be sentenced. However, it has now been confirmed he will not appear in the courtroom this afternoon.
Cashman will receive life imprisonment after being convicted of one of the most atrocious crimes in Merseyside's history. Justice Amanda Yip, who presided over his trial, will be required to set a minimum term which the 34-year-old must serve behind bars before he is considered eligible for release.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman sentencing updates as Olivia Pratt-Korbel killer to be jailed
But after he was found guilty of the murder, his family protested his innocence in the courtroom while Cashman shook his head and wiped tears from his eyes. Along with his family sat his partner Kayleeanne Sweeney who had her head in her hands while his family were seen crying.
Relatives of Thomas Cashman, including his sister, left the courtroom shouting, swearing and protesting his innocence. She claimed others were responsible for Olivia’s murder, not her brother, as she was ushered out of the court building by police officers and court security. However today, Monday April 3, no member of Thomas Cashman's family had arrived at court to hear his sentence.
The ECHO will be providing live updates from the courtroom throughout his hearing.
Manchester Crown Square Crown Court previously heard during a three-and-a-half-week trial that Cashman "lay in wait" for Nee while armed with two loaded guns as his intended target watched a Liverpool FC v Manchester United football match on the television at his friend Timmy Naylor's house on Finch Lane. When he left the address with another man, Paul Abraham, the gunman approached them from behind and opened fire with a self-loading Glock-style pistol.
A chilling piece of CCTV footage showed Mr Abraham running for his life as two loud bangs rang out. Convicted burglar and drug dealer Nee was shot in the midriff at this point and stumbled to the floor as a result of his injuries.
David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, described how Cashman had "murder on his mind" and stood over the helpless man and attempted to discharge the firearm again as he begged: "Please don't. Don't lad".
But the gun malfunctioned, and Nee was able to escape. Cashman however continued his "ruthless pursuit" as he fled towards the Korbel family home.
Forty-six-year-old Cheryl, alarmed by the gunfire outside, had stepped out of her house to investigate but quickly rushed back indoors when she saw Nee running towards her and away from Cashman - who was dressed all in black and had his face covered. She then tussled with the gunman's intended target in an attempt to keep her front door shut and to keep him out of the property but was unable to fully close it as it had been left on the latch in order to allow the neighbours to let themselves in for a cup of tea.
The assailant fired another shot with a second, backup weapon - a 0.3 calibre revolver - at this point. This was the shot which claimed Olivia's life, the bullet passing through the door and travelling through the mother's hand before striking her in the chest.
The schoolgirl had been upstairs in bed but was heard to say "mummy, I'm scared" as she ran to the bottom of the stairs to her mum having been startled by the commotion. With Nee by now inside, Cashman then forced his arm around the door and fired one final shot which became lodged in the doorframe.
Olivia was scooped up by the first police officer to arrive at the scene and rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after being critically injured, but was pronounced dead shortly before 11.30pm. There were emotional scenes in court as Cheryl Korbel recounted the tragedy in a video interview with police, which was played to the jury.
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Child killer, hitman, drug dealer - How the dark truth about Thomas Cashman was exposed
Man who helped Thomas Cashman as he sought to cover up Olivia's murder
Olivia Pratt-Korbel: the little girl at the heart of heartbreaking murder trial
