Thomas Cashman, the murderer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, has lost his latest appeal against his conviction. The nine-year-old Olivia was tragically killed by Cashman as he pursued a drug dealer. During the pursuit, Cashman fired a bullet that struck Olivia as the gangster he was chasing attempted to seek refuge in her home. In April 2023, Cashman was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 42 years for the murder. Last year, the Court of Appeal rejected his initial attempt to challenge the sentence. Now, following a recent hearing at the Court of Appeal, the 36-year-old has once again been unsuccessful in his appeal.
During the recent court session, there were requests for an investigation into allegations that new evidence, not presented during the trial, was provided to the jury while they were deliberating. Additionally, claims were made that police had provided panic alarms to the jurors during Cashman’s trial. Despite these arguments, three senior judges ultimately dismissed the appeal, affirming Cashman’s conviction. Olivia Pratt-Korbel tragically lost her life in August 2022 in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, due to the incident involving Cashman.
Olivia’s mother, Cheryl, expressed that no amount of time behind bars would be sufficient for the gang leader responsible for her daughter’s murderer. Vincent Coggins, known as the leader of the Huyton Firm, orchestrated the criminal activities that led to Cashman’s heinous actions. Coggins, after evading authorities for three decades, was apprehended in 2020 and subsequently sentenced to 28 years in prison earlier this year. Cheryl emphasised that the ongoing violence in Liverpool could have been mitigated if authorities had acted sooner against such criminal organisations.
Vincent Coggins’ gang was notorious for trafficking cocaine and orchestrating violent attacks on rivals, with Cashman as one of their hitmen. Cheryl highlighted the need to dismantle the culture of silence surrounding gang violence in Merseyside. Crimestoppers recently launched a campaign to encourage residents in the area where Olivia lost her life to provide information to law enforcement anonymously, aiming to combat gang-related activities. Cashman’s conviction for Olivia’s murder stands, and Coggins and several of his associates have been brought to justice, though Francis, Coggins’ older brother, remains at large.
In summary, Thomas Cashman’s failed appeal highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions in serious criminal cases. The tragic loss of Olivia Pratt-Korbel serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gang-related violence on communities and families. Cheryl’s unwavering advocacy for justice and her call to end the cycle of violence underscore the need for continued efforts to combat organised crime and ensure the safety of all individuals. The legal proceedings surrounding Cashman and Coggins shed light on the complexities of investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in criminal networks, emphasising the ongoing challenges in addressing such criminal activities.