Three years ago, 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was murdered in a case that shook all of Britain.
The tragedy shattered her family’s world — and what the killer did afterward was so shocking, it changed the law forever.
On August 22, 2022, chaos erupted in the Liverpool neighborhood of Dovecot. On that tragic night, 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was taken in a crime so shocking it sent shockwaves across the country
Olivia was killed when a gunman sprayed bullets through the front door of her family’s home. The intended target wasn’t her at all — it was drug dealer Joseph Nee. But in a tragic twist, innocent little Olivia was caught in the crossfire.
The killer, 35-year-old Thomas Cashman, had set out to execute Nee in a botched assassination. Instead, his reckless violence ended the life of a schoolgirl and destroyed a family forever.
Now, three years later, Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, says the grief has not eased.
Olivia’s last words
Speaking ahead of the painful anniversary, she told the BBC:
“It has been three years since I last heard her laugh, put her to bed or held her hand but the pain of her loss still feels like it happened yesterday.”
That night three years ago, just before 10 p.m., Thomas Cashman armed himself with two guns and lurked outside, waiting for Nee to leave a friend’s house. When Nee finally stepped out, Cashman opened fire with a Glock semi-automatic handgun. But when the weapon jammed, chaos followed.
Startled by the noise, Cheryl Korbel opened her front door to see what was happening. In that moment, Nee tried to force his way inside to escape.
Cashman wasn’t finished. He pulled out his backup gun — a revolver — and chased Nee right to the doorway. That’s when he fired the fatal shot.
The bullet tore through Cheryl’s wrist before striking Olivia in the chest. She died in her own home, in her mother’s arms.
”She came downstairs to seek the comfort of her mother,” Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, said. ”Her last words were ‘Mum, I’m scared.’”
What Thomas Cashman did after the murder
Police were able to arrest Thomas Cashman, but the motive behind the shooting was never fully uncovered. The intended target, drug dealer Joseph Nee, refused to cooperate with authorities, leaving many questions unanswered.
Cashman’s trial began in 2023 and ended with a conviction for Olivia’s murder, the attempted murder of Nee, wounding Cheryl Korbel with intent, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger. He was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 42 years.
Yet the aftermath of Olivia’s murder stirred emotions again — this time over Cashman’s refusal to face the full consequences of his actions.
After being found guilty by a jury, he refused to leave his cell to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court, prompting lawmakers to push for change.
The judge described Cashman’s refusal to appear in court as “disrespectful” to Olivia’s family.
Defending him, John Cooper KC explained that Cashman hadn’t attended because he believed the Crown Prosecution Service were celebrating his conviction, singing “we are the champions.” Cooper added that Cashman feared the proceedings were “turning into a circus.”
Clutched a teddy bear
Sentencing him in absentia at Manchester Crown Court, Mrs. Justice Amanda Yip painted a grim picture of the killer.
She noted that Cashman was “not of previous good character,” had made it clear he was a criminal, and had “demonstrated no remorse.”
“His failure to come into court is further evidence of that,” she said.
During the hearing, Olivia’s mother was overcome with emotion. She clutched a teddy bear made from her daughter’s pajamas while delivering her victim impact statement in the witness box.
”I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrified screams and utter devastation he had caused,” she said. ”He doesn’t care.”
”His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives.”
In May, a new bill was introduced in Parliament to give British judges additional powers to punish offenders who attempt to dodge their sentencing.
Sadly, Olivia’s murder was part of a deadly wave of violence that had rocked Liverpool in 2022. In the same period, other young lives were tragically cut short, including 22-year-old Sam Rimmer, and 28-year-old Ashley Dale.
In response, Merseyside Police received funding for an initiative called Clear, Hold, Build, known locally as EVOLVE. Its mission: reclaim neighborhoods hardest hit by organized crime and rebuild safer, stronger communities.
Had her whole life ahead of her
Merseyside was one of the first police forces in the U.K. to roll out the program, months before it launched nationwide in January 2023. Cheryl Korbel has since joined the campaign, standing alongside other families affected by violent crime.
“EVOLVE was created to help prevent further tragedies and other families from having to endure the pain we feel every single day,” said Ms. Korbel.
“While it’s making a difference we need your help. To keep our communities safest, if you know anything about criminality, please speak out.”
Sadly, nothing can bring her daughter back, and even three years after the tragedy, the sense of loss remains overwhelming.
”She had her whole life ahead of her and the pain of her loss is indescribable,” Ms Korbel said and continued:
”I will never see her grow up, get married, have children of her own or fulfill her dreams and that is devastating.”
Olivia was a bright, beautiful little girl taken far too soon. Nothing like this should ever happen, and it breaks my heart that families have to endure such pain. As a society, we can and must do better.
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