Lord Ashcroft’s £50,000 reward to catch gunman who killed Olivia
Lord Ashcroft today pledges a £50,000 reward to help in the hunt for the killer of nine- year- old olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The Tory peer made the donation via his charity Crimestoppers to help find those responsible for the schoolgirl’s murder.
olivia was shot in the chest when a gunman, who was chasing a convicted burglar and drug dealer, burst into her home, firing indiscriminately.
Her mother Cheryl, 46, was hit in the wrist as she desperately tried to shut her front door, but the bullet also struck her daughter standing behind her.
The youngster was taken to hospital but could not be saved. Neither the gunman nor his target had any links to olivia’s
family. The murder in dovecot, Liverpool, shocked the nation.
So far Merseyside Police have arrested nine people in connection with her death, including a 36-year-old and 34-year-old on suspicion of murder. But all have been released on bail and no one has been charged.
Lord Ashcroft, chairman of Crimestoppers, said: ‘olivia’s murder has shocked us all, which is why I have made this personal offer of up to £50,000 available via Crimestoppers to help get justice for olivia’s family and friends.
‘What happened is truly unacceptable and I say to anyone who has information that can help catch the killer to come forward completely anonymously.’
Crimestoppers said the new appeal was aimed at those in the community who have been too scared to come forward.
The £50,000 reward is being offered for any information that results in a conviction in connection with olivia’s murder.
on Monday police searched West derby Golf Club in the city for two guns they believe were used in the attack.
olivia’s funeral is to take place tomorrow at St Margaret Mary’s Church in dovecot.
Mick duthie, director of operations at Crimestoppers, appealed to relatives of the gunman for information.
He said: ‘Nobody will know you contacted us, and you will be doing the right thing for olivia, her family, friends and the wider community across Liverpool who are still trying to come to terms with this tragedy.’
detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, leading the murder hunt, has vowed to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in his bid to catch olivia’s killer.
Since her death, classmates at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School have been sharing memories of olivia and receiving counselling, said headteacher rebecca Wilkinson.
Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.