Thomas Edward Cashman

4 offences

What the court heard

He was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, wounding or causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life in Liverpool, Merseyside, on 22 August 2022. Sentencing Remarks of Mrs Justice Yip DBE 1. Thomas Cashman is to be sentenced today for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, the wounding of Cheryl Korbel with intent and two firearms offences. Mr Cashman has been brought to court today but has refused to come from the cells to be sentenced. I have directed that he should do so, but he has maintained his refusal. I am therefore left with no choice but to sentence him in his absence. These sentencing remarks will be made available to him in writing. 2. All five offences arise out of the events of 22 August 2022 when, armed with two guns, the defendant set out to kill Joseph Nee. He lay in wait before opening fire in a residential street. CCTV footage captured him standing over Mr Nee, shooting at close range. When the first gun malfunctioned, Mr Nee was able to scramble away, but the defendant had his second gun ready. He relentlessly pursued Mr Nee, causing him to seek refuge by barging into the home occupied by Olivia's family. Undeterred and wholly unconcerned for the safety of others, he continued to shoot at Joseph Nee, firing into that family home. Olivia, just nine years' old, heard the commotion from her bed. Unsurprisingly, she came downstairs to seek the comfort of her mother. Her last words were “Mum, I'm scared". In a terrible twist of fate, she had stepped directly into the line of fire. As her mother battled to keep the front door closed, the defendant fired a shot that passed straight through the door, then through Cheryl Korbel's wrist and into Olivia's chest, killing her. The defendant then managed to get his hand inside the door and fired another shot inside the house. Fortunately, the door was closed on his hand and the bullet discharged into the door frame avoiding the people inside. 3. For the murder of Olivia, there is only one sentence that can be passed: that is a mandatory life sentence. Let there be no misunderstanding about this, the sentence will be one of life imprisonment. That means that the defendant may spend the rest of his days in prison. However, for reasons I shall explain, this is not a case which requires a whole life order. I must therefore specify the minimum term which must elapse before the defendant can apply to be…

Around this case

• Manchester Crown Court
• Prosecuted by CPS North West
• Investigated by Merseyside Police