Man charged with murder of Olivia appears in court

A 34-year-old man charged with the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel has faced her parents in court for the first time - as his trial date was set for 2023.

Thomas Cashman, appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court after being charged with killing the nine-year-old, who was shot dead after convicted burglar Joseph Nee was chased by a gunman into her home in Dovecot, on 22 August.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of Olivia’s mother, 46-year-old Cheryl Korbel, who was injured during the incident, and Nee.

The 34-year-old, of Grenadier Drive, in West Derby, is further charged with two counts of possessing a firearm to endanger life.

Cashman, who was driven to court in a police convoy appeared in handcuffs in the dock surrounded by four police officers during the hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes.

Ms Korbel and Olivia's father, John Francis Pratt, were in court along with police officers and more than 20 members of the media.

He later appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where Judge Neil Flewitt KC set a provisional trial date for 6 March 2023.

A second defendant, Paul Russell, 40, also appeared in court accused of assisting an offender.

Russell's charges allege he "drove Thomas Cashman to an address and also disposed of his clothing" following the shooting.

He will next appear in court on 31 October.

Source ITV