The Dramatic Armed Arrest of Olivia Pratt-Korbel's Killer
Newly released police footage has revealed the dramatic moment when armed officers arrested Thomas Cashman for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. The gangland hitman, known for his cocky demeanour, appeared stunned as police marksmen stormed his flat with automatic rifles pointed at his back.
The compelling body-worn camera footage forms part of a new documentary series called Inside The Arrest, available on Discovery+ and Really TV. It captures the tense confrontation between armed officers and one of Merseyside's most dangerous criminals.
Cashman's Defiant Response
Initially compliant as he lay face down on his carpet with hands raised, Cashman quickly regained his composure and began verbally attacking the officers. When handcuffed, he shouted: "You're stitching me up for, whatever it is. What's it for? What have I done?"
After being informed he was being arrested on suspicion of murder and two counts of attempted murder, Cashman responded with defiance: "What are yous on about murder? I haven't committed no offence what yous are talking about. None, none whatsoever."
Former firearms officer Jamie Clark, who appears in the documentary, noted how quickly Cashman transitioned from submission to aggression. "Already now in the brief seconds that this has taken, he's regained some confidence. He's getting a bit more aggressive and defiant," Clark observed.
High-Risk Operation
The documentary highlights the extreme dangers faced by police when arresting known armed criminals. Former Merseyside inspector Peter Williams explained: "The risk would have been extremely high at this stage because once we go to the flat, we don't know how he's going to react."
Officers carried SIG MCX automatic rifles capable of firing 900 rounds per minute. Mr Clark emphasised the weapon's power: "Anyone that is familiar with firearms upon looking at a weapon like this would understand that they are highly powerful, they're highly accurate and of course, ultimately they're highly lethal."
The operation was particularly hazardous due to the flat's layout in a residential area. Clark noted concerns about "what state is the individual in? Are they armed? Are they aware of their presence? Are they willing to fire their gun from inside blindly through the wall?"
Background to the Tragedy
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was just nine years old when Cashman fatally shot her in August 2022. The tragedy occurred when the hitman chased a drug dealer into her family home in Dovecot, Liverpool, firing shots indiscriminately.
The bullet that killed Olivia also injured her mother Cheryl's hand as she desperately tried to keep the door shut against the intruder. The random nature of the shooting shocked the nation and triggered a massive police investigation.
Cashman, now 36, was found guilty of murder last year and sentenced to 42 years in prison. The cowardly killer sparked public outrage by refusing to face Olivia's relatives in court during his sentencing.
Episode 3 of Inside The Arrest, featuring the complete footage of Cashman's dramatic capture, is available to stream on discovery+ from Friday 14th November.
