Olivia was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman on the doorstep of her home, in Dovecot, Merseyside, in August 2022 – but he refused to attend court for sentencing
Olivia Pratt-Korbel shot on her doorstep(Image: PA)
A law set up in the name of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel forcing offenders to attend court has come into force.
Olivia was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman on the doorstep of her home, in Dovecot, Merseyside, in August 2022, in a crime which shocked the nation. Drug dealer Cashman had been chasing a rival who tried to flee by forcing his way into the property after Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, opened it.
He was jailed for life, with a minimum of 42 years in April 2023, but refused to attend court for his sentencing, forcing Olivia’s family to campaign for a change in the law. In her impact statement to the court Cheryl said she was left “annoyed, angry and shocked” when she was unable to speak directly to Cashman and “look him in the eye”.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel shot on her doorstep(Image: PA)
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The law means criminals who refuse to attend sentencing, or deliberately disrupt hearings, could now face additional time behind bars and face other sanctions including missing out on family visits.
Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation announced on Tuesday that the law, as part of the Victims and Courts Bill had been finalised and will receive Royal Assent, which is a procedural formality.
Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel(Image: PA)
In a statement, signed by Cheryl and her family, the foundation said: “Those who know us personally will know it’s not often we’re left speechless however this right here just takes our breath away.
“We are so proud and so grateful for each and every individual who walked alongside us throughout this. Every post, share, comment, towns visited, streets walked and posters handed out – without all of it we wouldn’t be here today. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything. In Olivia’s name no other families will have to face the denial of the beginning of closure in court.”
Cheryl met MP Keir Starmer a year ago as she campaigned for a change in the law.
Cheryl meeting PM Starmer(Image: PA)
At the time she said: “I think I’m still in shock, because we’ve been thrown into a world we knew nothing about. So even sitting in the House of Commons it’s – mouth open, surreal.” Starmer praised her saying her determination to bring about change would be “heard by the whole world”.
The bill was first introduced by previous PM Rishi Sunak. After Cashman refused to appear in court he wrote to Cheryl saying: “It was so profoundly wrong that Olivia’s murderer could refuse to attend his sentencing and avoid hearing you explain the terrible suffering he has caused.
Thomas Cashman refused to attend court(Image: PA)
“So I was pleased to be able to tell you personally how we are going to change the law, so that courts can compel such offenders to be present for their sentencing.”