Mum of murdered Olivia meeting with Prime Minister over law change

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks with Cheryl Korbel, the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, at his office in the Houses of Parliament in London. Picture date: Wednesday August 30, 2023. Picture date: Wednesday August 30, 2023. PA Photo. Nine-year-old Olivia died on August 22 last year after she was shot by Thomas Cashman, who chased convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee into her family home in Dovecot, Liverpool. See PA story COURTS Sentencing. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
-Credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire


The mum of murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel is meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer today to discuss a potential new law in the name of her nine-year-old daughter.

Cheryl Korbel has travelled to London to talk with Sir Keir in a hope to move forward with the creation of a new ‘Olivia’s Law’ - which would force criminals to appear in court for their sentencing hearings.

Cheryl and her family have fought for the change in the law ever since Olivia’s killer Thomas Cashman refused to appear in front of them for his sentencing after he was convicted of her murder.

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The 36-year-old, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years after being found unanimously guilty of murdering the nine-year-old schoolgirl by a jury in 2023.

Olivia was was shot dead in her own home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot in one of the most horrific crimes in Merseyside's history. Her mum Cheryl Korbel was also struck by a bullet as Cashman pursued his intended target Joseph Nee into the house.

Today, Cheryl will be accompanied by her local MP, Anneliese Midgley, who has been a key voice in pushing the government to support the campaign. Sir Keir has pledged to bring in the change in the law.

Last year, the Prime Minister said: “We intend to introduce legislation this session so courts have the power to order the most serious offenders to attend their sentencing hearings.

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This is really important and I know it is felt across the house because to deprive the victims and their families of seeing the sentencing exercise is to deprive them of justice.”

Speaking of the meeting today, Knowsley MP Ms Midgely said: “No family should have to suffer the pain of seeing justice diminished because an offender refuses to appear in court.

Cheryl Korbel’s courageous campaign highlights a vital gap in our justice system. While nothing can undo the loss of Olivia, this law would ensure dignity and justice for victims and their families.”

Writing for The House Magazine recently, Midgley applauded the Prime Minister for his co-operation but said the change in the law is well overdue.

The 36-year-old, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years after being found unanimously guilty of murdering the nine-year-old schoolgirl by a jury last year.