IN THE DOCK
Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Family of murdered nine-year-old come face-to-face with ‘killer’ in court
THE family of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel came face-to-face with her alleged killer in court yesterday.
Thomas Cashman, 34, is accused of shooting Olivia in the chest after chasing a man into her home at bedtime.
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Cashman is also charged with the attempted murder of the youngster’s mum Cheryl, 46, who was shot in the arm.
Pictures on social media show Cashman posing with Ferraris and other supercars.
Football fan Cashman is also photographed smiling in a restaurant wearing a designer watch.
In another snap, he is seen with a baby in an ivory-and-gold Versace christening gown.
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And one snap shows him on a ski holiday with pals.
Facebook users branded his white gnashers “Turkey Teeth” — a mocking phrase used to describe teeth that look like they were done on the cheap in Turkey.
Cashman’s £500,000 house four-bed house, which he moved into just a couple of months ago, had its front door boarded up on Sunday.
It is believed he lives there with his girlfriend and the entrance was kicked in by cops.
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Cashman was flanked by four police officers in the dock yesterday as Olivia’s grieving family looked on from the public gallery.
He showed no emotion and bowed his head as Cheryl and Olivia’s father John Francis Pratt were supported by loved ones.
Wearing a grey T-shirt, jeans and designer Alexander McQueen trainers, Cashman looked at the floor during the ten-minute hearing at Liverpool magistrates court.
Another six officers stood guard outside the courtroom and extra security was placed at the entrance.
Cop cars and motorcycles flanked the police van which drove Cashman to the 10am hearing.
Traffic had to be briefly stopped on Liverpool’s busy Dock Road to let the convoy through. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Cashman is also charged with the attempted murder of convicted burglar Joseph Nee, who was chased by a gunman into Olivia's home.
Cashman is further accused of attempting to murder Olivia's mum Cheryl after she was shot in the wrist and two counts of possession of a firearms with intent to endanger life.
The mum and Olivia's dad John Francis Pratt watched from the public gallery as Cashman appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court today.
He spoke only to confirm his name, dates of birth and address during the brief hearing.
Cashman, of West Derby, was remanded in custody before appearing at Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon.
No plea was entered but a provisional trial date was set for March 6 next year.
Cashman, who sat staring at the ground, will next appear on January 10.
Co-accused Paul Russell, 40, also appeared at court today charged with assisting an offender.
The court was told he allegedly assisted Cashman by driving him away from the scene and disposing of clothing.
Russell, also of West Derby, will appear at the same court on October 31.
The pair were charged on Saturday after weeks of desperate appeals to find the suspected gunman.
It also came after Crimestoppers pledged their biggest-ever reward of £200,000 to find the killer.
Police have made 11 arrests in total relating to Olivia's death with nine suspects later bailed.
The bloodbath unfolded when intended target Nee rushed into Olivia’s home to escape a gunman.
Mum Cheryl appeared to have opened the front door to see what the commotion was when the 35-year-old forced his way inside.
The shooter then followed and began peppering the home with bullets – hitting Cheryl first then Olivia, who was standing behind her mum.
Tragically, Olivia was declared dead shortly after, while her mum was treated for a gunshot wound to the wrist.
Intended target Nee was treated for multiple wounds to his upper body and has since been recalled to jail for breaching the terms of his release.
Olivia was laid to rest on September 15 at St Margaret Mary's Church in Dovecot close to where the shooting happened.
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Her mum told mourners wearing a "splash of pink" in the youngster's memory how she "touched so many people's hearts and was loved and adored by everyone".
Cheryl added: "I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning."
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