Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder documentary - part 4: Killers must face families

One year on from the murder, we look back at the impact of her tragic death and the campaign to force killers to face victims' families in court.
Emily Bonner
By Emily Bonner
Published 24th Aug 2023, 09:54 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Thomas Cashman was jailed for 42 years for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her home in Dovecot following a trial at Manchester Crown Court. However, instead of facing up to the pain he had inflicted on Olivia’s family, Cashman hid away in his cell refusing to attend his hearing.

Sentencing Cashman in his absence, Mrs Justice Yip, described his cowardly act as ’disrespectful to the family of the deceased’. That behaviour has prompted an increase in calls to make the appearance of convicted criminals mandatory at all future sentencing hearings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We saw it happen once again this week when Lucy Letby, the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history, was absent for her sentencing following the murder of seven babies while she was a nurse in a neonatal unit.

Cheryl Korbel, (centre) mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, arrives at Manchester Crown Court, as Thomas Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive, Liverpool, is sentenced for the murder of her daughter, who was shot in her home in Dovecot on August 22 last year, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, the wounding with intent of Ms Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Picture date: Monday April 3, 2023.Cheryl Korbel, (centre) mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, arrives at Manchester Crown Court, as Thomas Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive, Liverpool, is sentenced for the murder of her daughter, who was shot in her home in Dovecot on August 22 last year, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, the wounding with intent of Ms Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Picture date: Monday April 3, 2023.
Cheryl Korbel, (centre) mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, arrives at Manchester Crown Court, as Thomas Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive, Liverpool, is sentenced for the murder of her daughter, who was shot in her home in Dovecot on August 22 last year, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, the wounding with intent of Ms Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Picture date: Monday April 3, 2023.

Though facing the families in court, won’t bring back the victims of senseless crimes, not being present when victim impact statements are read out denies those affected a measure of closure. Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, said: “It’s important for the offenders to listen to the pain they have caused. The pain that is ongoing.”

The launch of a campaign and government petition to make it mandatory for killers to appear in court has received backing from across the Labour Party, including Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed and London Mayor Sadiq Khan as well as from local MPs right across the region.

It’s also important to remember those whose lives have been cruelly cut short by murder, for how they died, but for how they lived. Like Olivia, who was a chatty, lively, little girl who loved the colour pink.

Watch the video above for Part 4: Killers must face families | Watch Part 3: Still ‘numb’ | Watch Part 2: Killer lay in wait | Watch Part 1: Another innocent child |

Related topics:Olivia Pratt-Korbel