GUILTY OF HER MURDER

Mum's cry of 'yes' as evil gunman nailed. Victory for justice in the face of fear

- HOLLIE BONE

OLIVIA Pratt-Korbel's mum let out a cry of joy yesterday after Thomas Cashman was convicted of the youngster's murder.

Tearful Cheryl Korbel shrieked "yes" as she emerged from court holding a pink teddy in memory of her nine-year-old daughter.

Police praised a witness who came forward to help nail the gunman. One officer said: "She showed incredible bravery.

After a jury unanimously found the 34-year-old guilty of murder, Cheryl left the court and shrieked "yes" as she held the cuddly toy aloft in delight.

Cheryl, 46, also revealed for the first time the scar on her right hand from where she was shot by Cashman.

He opened fire on the family's front door while trying to kill his intended target, Joseph Nee. Nine-year-old Olivia was blasted in the chest.

The teddy, thought to be made from Olivia's possessions, also bears a patchwork heart with the words "Goodnight, I love you, Mwah", copied from the eulogy she read at her tragic daughter's funeral.

Police praised the bravery of a key witness who came forward despite the obvious threat of reprisals.

She revealed Cashman came to her house after the shooting and demanded a change of clothes before saying: "I've done Joey." Det Supt Mark Baker said: "We hoped and prayed that a witness of this nature would come forward.

"She showed incredible bravery. Probably in my 30-year service, I've never seen such bravery."

Earlier, gasps rang out around the court as drug dealer Cashman was found guilty of murder, wounding Cheryl, the attempted murder of Nee and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Jurors took nine hours to reach their verdict and Cashman was seen wiping tears from his face.

Olivia's life was cruelly cut short on August 22 last year at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool.