Olivia Pratt-Korbel Trial: Street "descended into chaos" after shooting - trial hears

Witness statements from those who live nearby have been read out in court

Author: Owen ArandsPublished 9th Mar 2023
Last updated 9th Mar 2023

The jury in the trial of Thomas Cashman, who is accused of murdering 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, has heard how the street on which she lived "descended into chaos", according to one witness, in the moments after the shooting.

On the fourth day of the trial, the 12 jurors have been hearing written statements from those who were in the area at the time of the shooting as well as videos from interviews with the police.

A number of those who live nearby described how they were disturbed by a number of "loud bangs" before seeing two men running down the street, one, dressed in all black, chasing the other with his hands held out in front of him.

Some witnesses described the chasing man as having what looked like a black hand gun.

The trial is being held at Manchester Crown Court

Meanwhile, a mum and daughter who had just pulled up in their car at the side of the street described seeing two men run past their passenger side window.

The mum described how she feared for her own life before making a 999 call saying: "The lad with the gun saw us in my daughter's vehicle, the male with the gun glared at me as he ran past us.

"I feared he would shoot at me as he looked directly at me and knew I had witnessed what had happened."

The court then heard how a female neighbour came out of her house before running back inside when she realised what was happening. The man who was being chased was then described as barging into her house followed by the gunman.

Another witness said moments later "the street descended into chaos" with another saying they heard "the worse screaming I’ve ever heard in my life, a woman screaming historically, out of control."

Neighbours also heard the man who was being chased shouting "Please lad, don't" and "What are you doing lad" whilst being chased.

Witnesses say they heard him go on to make a phone call before being picked up by a black Audi which "sped off."

Oliva's family arrived in court on Monday wearing pink ribbons

The court then heard how after the emergency services arrived, a young girl was carried out of the house covered in bloodied pyjamas by an armed police officer

Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, Liverpool, denies the murder of Olivia, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The trial is expected to last four weeks.

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