The mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel has spoken of her profound sense of betrayal after the man who murdered her nine-year-old daughter failed in his attempt to reduce his prison sentence.
Cheryl Korbel bravely faced the Court of Appeal in London, where Thomas Cashman's legal team argued that his 42-year minimum term was "excessive" and "unduly harsh." Their arguments were unanimously dismissed by three senior judges.
Ms. Korbel expressed her relief outside the Royal Courts of Justice, stating, "We can now focus on keeping our promise to Olivia – to be happy and keep her memory alive." She added, "I feel betrayed that he [Cashman] tried to appeal his sentence and put us through this."
A Community's Heartbreak
The case has horrified the nation since the tragic events of August 22nd, 2022, in Dovecot, Liverpool. Cashman, a 34-year-old drug dealer, opened fire on another man, Joseph Nee, who was fleeing from him. The bullet missed its intended target, instead piercing the wall of Olivia's family home and striking the young girl as she stood behind her mother.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, delivering the ruling, stated that the original sentence was not a life term but a minimum tariff, meaning Cashman will be 76 before he can even be considered for parole. He emphasised the "devastating impact" of the crime and the "exceptional level of harm" it caused.
A Mother's Unwavering Strength
Throughout the unimaginable ordeal, Cheryl Korbel has shown immense courage. She attended every day of Cashman's trial and has become a symbol of resilience for a community ravaged by gun crime.
She concluded her emotional statement with a powerful message: "The way we look at it is that he’s going to be in there for a long time, and we don’t have to think about him... We can just think about Olivia and we can do what we promised her."
With the legal battle now concluded, Olivia's family hopes to finally find a measure of peace and dedicate their lives to honouring her memory.
