‘The violence must stop’: Mother of slain Olivia Pratt-Korbel vows to crack down on gang and gun crime as she unveils plans to pay tribute to her little girl in memorial garden
- Cheryl Korbel, 46, said she wanted “guns off the street” and to get rid of gangs
- She also unveiled a memorial garden for murdered daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel
The grieving mother of the slain Olivia Pratt-Korbel has vowed to fight the gang culture and gun crime that led to her daughter’s murder.
Cheryl Korbel, 46, today outlined her vision to “get guns off the streets” and “get rid of gangs” following the murder of her nine-year-old daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
She said her ambition was to unite police, charities and the community to prevent children from going down ‘the wrong path’.
Miss Korbel also unveiled plans for a memorial garden for Olivia, who was killed last year by Liverpudlian gangster Thomas Cashman, 34, when he burst into their home with a firearm in Dovecoat, Liverpool, last year.
said Miss Korbel the mirror: ‘I want the guns off the streets and the violence reduced, if not stopped.
Cheryl Korbel (pictured), 46, today outlined her vision to “get guns off the streets” and “get rid of gangs” following the murder of her nine-year-old daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Miss Korbel also unveiled plans for a memorial garden for Olivia (pictured), who was killed by Liverpudlian gangster Thomas Cashman, 34, when he stormed into their house last year with a gun.
“We have to get rid of the gangs. Police, communities and charities need to be more involved with children. We must give children opportunities.’
She added, “This garden will be in memory of Liv and a place for the kids to gather and be safe.”
Olivia was killed when Cashman shot at fellow criminal Joseph Nee, who had broken into the house during a chase. A bullet passed through Miss Korbel’s hand and hit Olivia’s chest.
He was found guilty of murdering Olivia, attempting to murder Nee, and wounding Miss Korbel.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 42 years at Manchester Crown Court, but refused to leave his cell to hear his sentence.
Miss Korbel also said she wanted to see a law that would “force criminals to appear for sentencing.”
She added: “We were dragged right through that lawsuit when we didn’t have to. If he’d had it from the start, we wouldn’t have had to be there.
“He was sitting in that wharf during the trial and on the last day he said, ‘I’m not going up.’ It’s not fair.
“Why should we go through all that and then he gets the option not to be there? It’s like a kick in the teeth. He’s just a coward – and that’s being polite.’
Miss Korbel also revealed a piece of land
She hopes that a piece of land where Liv and her friends enjoyed playing can be a peaceful, safe haven for young people.
