Mum of Olivia Pratt-Korbel 'ecstatic' as she holds teddy in air after Thomas Cashman convicted of murder

The mum of a nine-year-old girl who was gunned down in her own home has told reporters outside court she is 'ecstatic' after Thomas Cashman was convicted of her murder.

Cheryl Korbel raised a teddy in the air and shouted 'YES' after a jury found Cashman, 34, guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel in August last year. Cashman fatally shot Olivia and injured Cheryl after chasing Joseph Nee, a convicted drug dealer, into their house. A jury also found Cashman guilty of attempting to murder Nee, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Olivia’s mother, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Leaving Manchester Crown Court, Cheryl smiled and clutched a pink teddy bear victoriously, telling reporters she felt 'ecstatic'.

READ MORE: Woman, 92, woke up to find couple in her bedroom - it was just the start of her horror ordeal

Tributes have poured in for Olivia and her family this afternoon following the verdict. Merseyside police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family and loved ones have been through in the past seven months.

“There is no justice that can bring Olivia back, and the last three weeks of the trial and Cashman’s refusal to admit his crimes must only have compounded their unthinkable suffering.

“Today’s guilty verdict will not bring their unique, chatty, beautiful little girl back and sadly it will not end their heartache, but at least they know he is off the streets and facing a life sentence for his cowardly and despicable actions.”

She paid tribute to the force and thanked the community, adding: “This senseless murder devastated our city. Sadly, it showed there is still a contemptible