Man charged with murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool

A man has been charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

In a news conference, Merseyside Police said 34-year-old Thomas Cashman has been charged with the murder of Olivia and the attempted murder of her mother Cheryl.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of Joseph Nee and two counts of possession of a firearm to endanger life.

Olivia was shot dead in her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on 22 August, while her mother Cheryl was injured after being struck in the wrist by the same bullet.

Olivia’s death was one of three fatal shootings within a week in Liverpool.

She was shot in the chest after convicted burglar Nee forced his way into her home while running away from a balaclava-clad gunman.

A £200,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for killing Olivia – the biggest reward in Crimestoppers’ history.

Her funeral took place in Liverpool last month, with many mourners wearing pink to remember the youngster.

In an emotional tribute following her death, Olivia’s mother Cheryl described her daughter as her “little shadow” who “went everywhere with me”.

“Everyone she met, they all fell in love with her,” Ms Korbel said. “She left a mark on everyone she met.”

In a statement after Olivia’s death, her father John Francis Pratt said his daughter’s future had been “cruelly snatched away from her and we have been deprived of a real light in our lives”.