Man jailed for assisting Olivia Pratt-Korbel's killer
Paul Russell gave Thomas Cashman a lift and moved his clothing after Cashman killed Olivia
Last updated 25th Aug 2023
The man who gave Olivia Pratt-Korbel's killer a lift and moved his clothing after the shooting has been sentenced to 22 months in prison.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how 41-year-old Paul Russell, who pleaded guilty to assisting an offender at a hearing in October last year, was "terrified" of Cashman and was not aware he had killed the schoolgirl when he helped him.
Russell met police in the days after Olivia's death and told them the man responsible was "Tommy Cashman", the sentencing hearing was told.
The judge ruled that Russell will be considered for release halfway through his sentence, to serve the rest of the time on licence in the community. He will also be given a new identity when released.
The jury in the trial of Thomas Cashman were not told of Russell's guilty plea, to avoid prejudicing the case.
The reporting restriction was only lifted after Cashman was found guilty of murder.
Cashman was sentenced to life behind bars with a minimum term of 42 years after being convicted of Olivia's murder, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, the wounding of Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel and two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
He tried to kill convicted drug dealer Nee on the street but his first weapon 'malfunctioned'.
After Nee barged into the Korbel home whilst fleeing for his life, Cashman fired a shot from his backup weapon, a revolver, through the front door of the house in Dovecot.
The bullet went through Cheryl Korbel's wrist and into Olivia's chest.
Cashman then fled the scene to the home of a woman who can't be named for legal reasons, who called Russell.
Russell, of Snowberry Road, Liverpool, then drove Cashman to where the killer had earlier parked his van before heading to the scene of the shootings.
The clothing that Cashman wore was left on the woman's kitchen floor, which Russell took round to an associate of the killer.
In court, the jury heard that Russell didn't realise the victim was a child and came forward after discovering the truth.
Cashman wasn't actually in court for his sentencing as he refused to come up from his cell.
That prompted the 'Face The Family' campaign, which calls for the government to change the law so offenders are made to appear in the courtroom.
You can sign the petition here.