Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Thomas Cashman, 34, in court charged with murder of girl at her home in Liverpool

A trial date has been set for the man accused of murdering nine year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

Thomas Cashman appeared in court charged with murder nearly six weeks after Olivia was shot in the chest at her home in Liverpool.

Cashman appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday afternoon and a provisional trial date was set for next March.

The 34-year-old, of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, is accused of killing Olivia, who died after convicted burglar Joseph Nee was chased into her family’s property in Dovecot on 22 August.

He has also been charged with the attempted murders of Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, 46, who was injured during the incident, and Nee.

He faces two further counts of possessing a firearm to endanger life.

A second man, Paul Russell, 40, of Snowberry Road, also in West Derby, has been charged with assisting an offender.

Earlier this month, Olivia’s funeral was held at St Margaret Mary’s Church in Knotty Ash.

Pink ties, jackets, scarves and bows were worn by those attending the service after her family asked people to wear a “splash of pink”.

Ms Korbel carried a pink teddy bear into the service, during which she said: “Liv touched so many people’s hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten.

“I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning.”

What happened during the court hearing?

Cashman appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday afternoon after his case was sent from the magistrates’ court in the morning.

Thomas Keaney, representing Cashman, made no application for bail.

A provisional trial date was set for 6 March next year, with a plea and trial preparation hearing to take place on 10 January.

David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, said the trial is expected to last four weeks.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC said Cashman will appear at the next hearing via video-link.

The defendant, wearing a grey T-shirt and handcuffs and flanked by police officers in the dock, looked at the ground throughout most of the 15-minute hearing.

Earlier in the day Russell, 40, of Snowberry Road, West Derby, also appeared in court, charged with assisting an offender.

The court heard he was alleged to have assisted Cashman by driving him away from the scene and disposing of clothing.

No application for bail was made and he was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 31 October.

What did police say?

Speaking previously Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said the police remained committed to finding all those involved in the tragedy.

He said: “Our work continues in earnest. At the beginning of the investigation we were firm in our commitment to finding all of those involved in this case, which includes the people who have tried to shield and protect individuals, and those who have supplied the weapon or are hiding the weapons used in this incident.

“We have had an overwhelming response and support from the public since the tragic murder of Olivia and I would ask for your continued support so we can keep the promise we made to Olivia’s family and the local community to ensure that those involved face justice.”