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Thomas Cashman: Appeal lodged to extend jail term for Olivia killer Thomas Cashman: Appeal to extend jail term for Olivia killer
(about 5 hours later)
Thomas Cashman was sentenced to a minimum of 42 years for murderThomas Cashman was sentenced to a minimum of 42 years for murder
An appeal has been lodged to extend the jail sentence of the man who shot dead nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Members of the public have appealed to extend the jail sentence of the man who murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Thomas Cashman was ordered to serve a minimum of 42 years behind bars after he was found guilty of shooting the schoolgirl in her Liverpool home. Thomas Cashman, 34, was ordered to serve a minimum of 42 years after he was found guilty of shooting the nine-year-old in her Liverpool home.
The 34-year-old refused to go into the dock for the sentencing on 3 April. The Attorney General's Office said it had received a request to refer Cashman's sentence to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient scheme.
The Attorney General's Office said it had received a request to increase Cashman's sentence under the unduly lenient scheme. But lawyers for Cashman are planning to appeal for a cut in his jail term.
A spokesman said several members of the public had made the appeal, and law officers had 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision. The Court of Appeal confirmed his legal team planned to argue his sentence was too harsh and he should serve less time before parole.
Cashman was handed the life sentence after a trial which lasted more than three weeks at Manchester Crown Court earlier this month. Cashman was branded a "coward" for his refusal to come into court for his sentencing hearing and face Olivia's family after he was found guilty by the jury.
The judge said his failure to appear in the dock was "disrespectful" to Olivia's family. It has prompted calls for a change in the law to force criminals to attend their sentence hearing or face extra years in jail.
The bullet that killed Olivia was fired through the front door of her homeThe bullet that killed Olivia was fired through the front door of her home
His trial heard how a fellow drug dealer, Joseph Nee, was the intended target of the attack and Cashman, armed with two guns, had been "lying in wait". His trial heard how Cashman "lay in wait" with two guns to attack convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee, 36, on 22 August 2022.
Fleeing the gunfire, Nee had run towards the open door of Olivia's home after her mother went out to see what the noise was.Fleeing the gunfire, Nee had run towards the open door of Olivia's home after her mother went out to see what the noise was.
Cashman continued shooting and a bullet went through the door and Ms Korbel's hand, before hitting Olivia in the chest with a fatal wound. Cashman continued shooting and a bullet went through the door and Ms Korbel's hand, before fatally hitting Olivia in the chest.
Olivia's murderer jailed for at least 42 yearsOlivia's murderer jailed for at least 42 years
'Brave' ex-partner helped convict Olivia's killer'Brave' ex-partner helped convict Olivia's killer
Olivia's mum 'ecstatic' as gunman guilty of murderOlivia's mum 'ecstatic' as gunman guilty of murder
Ms Korbel told the court life was "so very quiet" without her daughter, adding: "I just can't cope with the silence." Jailing him, Mrs Justice Yip said Cashman was "not of previous good character", had made it clear he was a criminal and had "demonstrated no remorse" during his trial.
She said she spent every afternoon thinking about the end of the school day and her "sassy, chatty girl who everyone adored". She added: "His failure to come into court is further evidence of that.
She added: "My mind keeps telling me that I've forgotten to pick her up from school." The Attorney General's Office said several members of the public had made the appeal to increase his sentences, and law officers had 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision whether or not to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
Caught in the CrossfireCaught in the Crossfire
Nine year old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed when shots were fired into her family home.Nine year old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was killed when shots were fired into her family home.
Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK Only)Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK Only)
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