Man to appear in court charged with murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel

A man is set to appear in court today charged with the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

Thomas Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, West Kirby, will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The 34-year-old is charged with the schoolgirl's murder.

Cashman is alleged to have killed the nine-year-old, who was shot dead after convicted burglar Joseph Nee was chased by a gunman into her home in Didcot, Liverpool, on August 22. 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.

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

Cashman is further charged with two counts of possessing a firearm to endanger life. He will appear alongside a second defendant, Paul Russell, 40, who faces a single count of assisting an offender.

There have been 11 arrests over Olivia’s death so far, with nine men previously detained as part of the wide-scale investigation, all of whom were later bailed. Classmates of Olivia have been sharing their memories of her and receiving counselling since returning to school after her death, her headteacher said.

Rebecca Wilkinson, headteacher of St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School in Huyton, said the nine-year-old 'oozed kindness' and would be remembered for her smile. "We have had counsellors in every class", she said.

"(The children) are devastated at the loss of their friend, they truly are, but the counselling has definitely helped and we have been so proud of the resilience the children have shown since they’ve been back."

Olivia’s funeral was held at St Margaret Mary’s Church in Knotty Ash last month. Pink ties, jackets, scarves and bows were worn by those attending the service after