- Mum's cry of 'yes' as evil gunman nailed
- Victory for justice in the face of fear
CLUTCHING Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s little pink teddy, mum Cheryl sat silently as the jury delivered their verdicts on ruthless gunman Thomas Cashman yesterday.
And after they unanimously found the 34-year-old guilty of murder she 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.
CHILLING
"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.
This story is from the March 31, 2023 edition of Daily Mirror UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 31, 2023 edition of Daily Mirror UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SPEEDY HAAT COMES UP TRUMPS
HAATEM’S 2,000 Guineas odds were slashed to 20-1 from 100-1 after he streaked clear in the bet365 Craven Stakes.
'TITLE BATTLE CAN FIX EURO HEARTBREAK'
MARTIN ODEGAARD insists Arsenal can lift their season by getting back on track in the title race.
MO NO... KOP CRASH OUT
Salah bags the winner but it's not enough for Klopp stars
Cheap shots at rich Rory could still finish up missing target
BACK in 2017, Steve Elkington whose 1995 US PGA win was his only Major triumph - aimed a cheap dig at Rory McIlroy after he had missed the cut at the US Open.
GREAT BAWL OF CHINA
Lewis hits back at the critics talking s*** about me declaring: I don't need vindication for Ferrari move
Is it all up for the fry?
Younger adults find Full English hard to swallow
STONES GO GAGA
Pop star 'to quest' as rehearsal songs for US tour are leaked
NOT ALOWRYED
Council 'can't sell' £300k painting to pay off debts
Corriella De Vil
Kym's joy at role as 'fab baddie' for stage tour
I WILL LOOK AFTER KATE
Wills' pledge on his first public outing since cancer revelation