Thomas Cashman appears in court charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel
03.10.2022 - 13:41
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man appeared in court today charged with the murder in Liverpool of nine -year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Thomas Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, Liverpool, was produced from custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court this morning.
Photographs taken on The Strand in Liverpool show police motorcycles leading a police van conveying him to court. Police officers, meanwhile, stood guard at the doors of the courtroom.
Olivia's family - including her mother Cheryl Korbel - were also at the magistrates' court hearing, accompanied by officers and detectives. Cashman, wearing a light blue T-shirt and jeans, was brought into the dock and spoke only to confirm his name and address, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Police announced on Saturday evening that he was charged with Olivia's murder as well as the attempted murder of Joseph Nee and Ms Korbel, Olivia's mother, and two counts of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life.
The court heard a magistrates court cannot consider bail for an offence of murder, and the case would have to be heard in the crown court.
Cashman sat in the dock with his head bowed as discussions took place about whether the case could be heard in the crown court today - Monday - or tomorrow. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court at 2pm today - Monday.
Cashman was in handcuffs in the dock surrounded by four police officers during the hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes. No pleas were entered. Olivia’s parents were in court along with police officers and more than 20 members of the media.
Olivia was shot dead after a gunman forced his way inside her home in the Dovecot area of Liverpool on August 22.
Paul Russell, 40, of Snowberry Road, West Derby,