Man, 34, charged with murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, in Liverpool

A man has been charged with the murder in Liverpool of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, police revealed tonight.

Thomas Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive, West Kirby, Liverpool, is due to appear before magistrates on Monday, October 3, Merseyside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have said.

He's also been charged with the attempted murder of Joseph Nee and Cheryl Korbel, Olivia's mother, added the force, as well as two counts of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life.

Meanwhile Paul Russell, 40, of Snowberry Road, has also been charged with assisting an offender in connection with the case, said police.

Olivia was shot dead after a gunman forced his wife inside her home in the Dovecot area of Liverpool on August 22.

The news was announced at a press conference held at the headquarters of Merseyside Police on Saturday night. Assistant Chief Constable Chris Green, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen and Chief Crown Prosecutor, Maria Corr, attended.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "Following an extensive and complex investigation, Merseyside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service can confirm that two men have been charged following the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel on 22 August 2022.

"Thomas Cashman, 34 years from Grenadier Drive, West Derby, has been charged with the murder of Olivia; two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a firearms with intent to endanger life. A second man, Paul Russell, 40 years, from Snowberry Road, West Derby, has been charged with assisting an offender.

"Both men will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday, 3 October 2022."

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, said: "Our work continues in earnest. At the