The UK had been horrified by the case. After a 19-day trial in a Manchester court, Thomas Cashman, 34, was convicted last week of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel on August 22. The murderer of this 9-year-old child, killed by a stray bullet in her house where a dealer had taken refuge, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday by the British justice.

His mother had opened the door of the house in Liverpool, in the north of England, after hearing noise in the street. A man had then rushed, stalked by a second who had fired indiscriminately. A bullet first wounded the 46-year-old mother in the hand, before hitting the girl behind her in the chest.

His death — the third fatal shooting in the city in the space of a week at the time — stirred the country and sparked calls to step up the fight against organized crime, with police warning of the dreaded automatic weapons increasingly used by gangs. "The murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel is a crime that has shocked not only the city of Liverpool, but the entire nation. Olivia's name will certainly be remembered for many years to come," Judge Amanda Yip said.

Decisive testimony

Thomas Cashman, whose sentence comes with a 42-year probation period, admitted during the trial to be a cannabis dealer but denied being the shooter. He was not present for sentencing, refusing to go to court.

The trial was marked by the decisive testimony of a woman, who had had an affair with the accused. She said Thomas Cashman took refuge in her house after the fact, and heard him say he "made Joey," contributing to his confusion. According to police testimonies reported by the Sunday Times, this woman has since received numerous death threats, and may now have to live under police protection. During the trial, she said she did not know what her "life would hold for me in the coming years".


Before the judge announced the sentence, Olivia's mother, Cheryl Korbel, read a statement to the court. "I miss his voice so much... I would give anything to still be able to talk with her," she said. "I can't even imagine rebuilding our lives without her."

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