Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family arrive at Manchester court for trial of man accused of murdering girl

The family of schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel have arrived at Manchester Crown Court as the man accused of killing her appears in the dock. Thomas Cashman is charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia following a shooting in her own home.

Cheryl Korbel, Olivia's mum, has arrived at court alongside other family members - including siblings Chloe and Ryan, and aunties Antonia and Kim. The youngster's father, John Francis Pratt, is also in attendance at Crown Square.

Cashman has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges, the Liverpool Echo reports. The 34-year-old denies murdering Olivia at her family home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot, Liverpool, last August 22.

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He also denies wounding with intent of Olivia's mother, Cheryl, and the attempted murder of Joseph Nee. He has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life - namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.

Cashman, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, Liverpool, arrived at court with an armed police escort. He will today (March 6) face a jury with his trial scheduled to last for four weeks.

David McLachlan KC will appear for the prosecution, assisted by Henry Riding and Peter Wilson. Cashman will be represented by Professor John Cooper KC, with Katy Appleton as his junior.

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