A man has been found guilty of the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Thomas Cashman was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of the nine-year-old’s fatal wounding at her family home in Dovecot on August 22 last year.
The 34-year-old from West Derby opened fire in the property on Kingsheath Avenue as he chased Joseph Nee, a fellow criminal who ran into the house.
Cashman was found guilty of attempted murder, the wounding of Olivia’s mum Cheryl Korbel and two firearms offences on Thursday afternoon.
His sentencing will take place on next Monday (April 3) where he faces a minimum term of 30 years for what police described as an ‘abhorrent’ act.
Detective Superintendent Mark Baker said: “The result today will never bring Olivia back and I know that this will live with her family for the rest of their lives.
“I would like to thank the families of Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel and dad, John Pratt for the dignity that they have demonstrated throughout the trial.
“In his police interviews Cashman showed no remorse for his actions. He has deprived a nine-year-old girl of her future, and her family of the pride they would have had in watching her grow up.
“When he found out that he had shot an innocent young girl, he should have had the courage to stand up and come forward. Instead, he chose to lay low, despite being a dad himself.
“He is not worthy of walking the streets of Merseyside, and neither are those who think they can bring fear, or intimidation, to our communities through the use of firearms.”