Detectives charge two men over murder of nine-year-old Olivia
TWO men have been charged over the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, six weeks after she was shot in the chest at her home.
Thomas Cashman, 34, was charged with murdering the youngster in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22, police said last night.
A second man, Paul Russell, 40, from Dovecot, was charged with assisting an offender following his arrest by officers on Friday.
Cashman, also from Dovecot and arrested on Thursday, has been separately charged with the attempted murders of Olivia’s mother Cheryl Korbel, 46, and Joseph Nee, 35, and two counts of possession of a firearm.
Convicted burglar Nee, the suspected target of the shooting, had been chased into the Korbels’ family home in Liverpool.
Cashman and Russell are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen, of Merseyside Police, said yesterday: ‘Our work continues in earnest.
‘At the beginning of the investigation we were firm in our commitment to finding all those involved in this case, which includes the people who have tried to shield and protect individuals, and those who have supplied the weapon or are hiding the weapons used in this attack. I therefore still need people to come forward and speak to us... so we can keep the promise we made to Olivia’s family and the local community to ensure those involved face justice.’
Last month, the reward offered in the hunt for the killer was increased to £200,000 – the biggest single reward offered by Crimestoppers.
Announcing the reward, the charity’s founder and chairman Lord Ashcroft said: ‘This case has been incredibly shocking, not just for those who are directly affected but also for Liverpool and the nation. I am delighted that with the support of a private donor, Crimestoppers can now offer a record £200,000 for information to catch Olivia’s killer.
‘A precious young life has been lost so we need every effort to find those involved in this appalling killing.’
Olivia’s funeral was held last month at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Knotty Ash.
Mourners dressed colourfully after her family asked them to wear a ‘splash of pink’. Speaking at the service, Ms Korbel said: ‘Liv touched so many people’s hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten.’