Witness who ‘flirted’ with man accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel denies lying to police about him | UK News

A witness who had an ‘affair’ with the man accused of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel has denied lying to police about him.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was embroiled in heated exchanges with defending barrister Thomas Cashman at the start of the second week of her trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Cashman, 34, is charged with murdering Olivia and injuring her mother, Cheryl Korbel, 46, at their home in Dovecot, Liverpool on August 22, 2022.

He allegedly chased another man, Joseph Nee, into Olivia’s house and fired his gun, missing Nee and hitting the mother and daughter.

The female witness implicated Cashman by telling police after the shooting that he went to her house where he changed his clothes, the jury heard last week.

The woman, who was seated in the witness box with a curtain shielding her from public view, also claimed to have heard Cashman say he had “done Joey”, the court heard.

John Cooper KC, defending, suggested to the witness that Cashman used her for sex and that caused her to lie to the police to “ruin him”.

He said: “At the center of your dishonest evidence in this court, you are with Thomas Cashman.

“You wanted to ruin it? »

She replied, “No. Ruin it…you find out what you find out.

“I had to do what I had to do for a little girl here. I had to go through a lot of pain, to think about what Tommy did.”

Mr Cooper continued: ‘At the time of this tragic murder you were angry, resentful and vindictive.’

“I wasn’t,” she replied.

“I certainly didn’t want a relationship with a thug with a little penis.”

She added: “I haven’t been asked any questions about a nine-year-old girl who lost her life. This little girl can’t go home, so I’m passionate about it.

“Let’s move on to the good times. Why don’t you ask about the shooting?

Mr. Cooper replied, “Good bits? Because we say you’re a liar.”

Learn more about the Olivia Pratt-Korbel trial
Brother recounts when gunman tried to break into family home
Murder trial jurors told not to be swayed by their emotions

The witness said she didn’t initially tell police she had an “affair” with Cashman because she was “petrified”.

She said: “I have no family. I was petrified. Absolutely petrified.

“Thomas Cashman did what he did and he can’t own it, my love.”

At one point in the exchange, Judge Ms. Justice Yip asked the witness to look at her, take a moment and calm down.

Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, Liverpool, denies murder of Olivia, attempted murder of Nee, injuring with intent to seriously injure Mrs Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to put the life in danger.

The trial continues.