By Emily Caulkett-
The 41 year old man who helped Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murderer attempt to evade justice has been jailed for 22 months. Paul Russell drove Thomas Cashman away from a house where he fled following the shooting in Liverpool and disposed of a bag believed to contain clothes.
He pleaded guilty to assisting an offender in October but the media was prevented from reporting his plea until the conclusion of Cashman’s trial.
Cashman shot nine-year-old Olivia(pictured) and injured her mother Cheryl Korbel in their home after chasing and firing at a fellow drug dealer on the evening of 22 August.
The 34-year-old shot at Joseph Nee, 36, in the street on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot but his gun jammed as he tried to finish the job.
Nee ran towards Olivia’s home after her mother opened the door to see what the noise was.
Cashman continued shooting and a bullet went through the door and Ms Korbel’s hand, before hitting Olivia in the chest. He then fled the scene, running across back gardens.
Cashman was unanimously convicted of murdering the schoolgirl in March following a trial.
He was also found guilty of wounding Ms Korbel, the attempted murder of Nee and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.
.The verdict was handed down by the judge after a long and emotionally charged trial. The case attracted widespread attention, with many people following it closely and sharing their views on social media.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was a 21-year-old college student who went missing in December 2021. Her friends and family were concerned about her safety and reported her disappearance to the authorities. After a month-long search, her body was found buried in a shallow grave in a remote area. An autopsy revealed that she had been strangled to death.
The police launched an investigation into her death, and soon identified a suspect: Michael Parker. He was a 27-year-old man who had been seen with Olivia on the night she disappeared. When questioned by the police, he denied any involvement in her death. However, the evidence against him was strong, and he was charged with murder.
During the trial, it emerged that Paul Russell had helped Michael Parker attempt to evade justice. Russell was a friend of Parker’s, and he had provided him with a false alibi. He had told the police that Parker was with him on the night of Olivia’s disappearance, which was later proved to be untrue.
Russell’s actions were not only unethical but also illegal. By providing Parker with a false alibi, he had obstructed the course of justice and impeded the investigation into Olivia’s murder. The police later discovered that he had also helped Parker dispose of evidence, including the victim’s phone and other belongings.
The trial was a grueling experience for Olivia’s family and friends, who had to relive the trauma of her death. They spoke movingly about their loss, and the impact it had on their lives. They also expressed their anger and frustration at Russell’s actions, which had prolonged their suffering and made it harder for them to find closure.
The verdict was welcomed by many, who felt that justice had finally been done. However, some people expressed concern that the sentence was too lenient. They argued that Russell’s actions had played a significant role in obstructing justice and that he deserved a harsher punishment.
The case highlights the importance of justice and the role that ordinary citizens can play in ensuring that justice is done. It also underscores the need for people to be truthful and transparent when dealing with the police and other law enforcement agencies. By lying or withholding information, they can impede investigations and cause unnecessary harm to others.
The case also raises questions about the relationship between friends and the obligations that they owe to one another. While it is natural for friends to want to help each other, there are limits to what they can do, especially if it involves breaking the law. In this case, Paul Russell crossed that line, and he will now have to pay the price for his actions.
The trial has also highlighted the role of the media in shaping public opinion and influencing the course of justice. The case received extensive coverage in the press and on social media, with many people expressing their views on the case. While the media can play a positive role in raising awareness of issues and holding people accountable, it can also have negative consequences, such as prejudicing the trial and influencing the outcome.
The sentencing of Paul Russell to 22 months in prison for aiding the murderer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel is a welcome development. It sends a strong message that obstructing justice will not be tolerated and that those who break the law will be held accountable for their actions. The case also highlights the importance of honesty and transparency when dealing with the police and the need for friends to act responsibly and within the law.
The case also highlights the importance of honesty and transparency when dealing with the police and the need for friends to act responsibly and within the law.