Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum in Westminster for next stage of her fight for law change
The mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was killed in her own home in Liverpool, has travelled to Westminster to see her campaign to change the law in her daughter's name reach a crucial stage.
Olivia's Law would seek to compel people convicted of serious offences to appear in court when they are being sentenced. It was the idea of Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel, who was appalled when her daughter's killer, Thomas Cashman, refused to leave his cell when he was sentenced to 42 years at Manchester Crown Court.The hope is that tougher sanctions could be introduced in similar situations, including more jail time or loss of privileges in prison.
The measures would be included in the Government's Victims and Courts Bill, which is having its second reading in Parliament.Olivia was killed when drug dealer Thomas Cashman fired at a rival, who was trying to force his way into her home in Dovecot in August 2022. Her mother Cheryl was injured, but the same bullet struck Olivia a fatal injury in her chest.Other high-profile cases where offenders were absent from sentencing include serial child killer Lucy Letby, law graduate Zara Aleena's murderer Jordan McSweeney, and primary school teacher Sabina Nessa's killer Koci Selamaj.
Speaking to ITV News at Westminster, Cheryl said, of the effort to get Olivia's Law to such a crucial stage in the Parliamentary process: "There's a lot that's gone on - it's thanks to family and friends and everyone who has supported us. "It means a lot and it's not just for our family - it's for other families that have got to do the same thing and hopefully it will be stopped and they(defendants who refuse to come to court) will be coming up and facing what they need to face."Olivia's aunt, Antonia Elverson, speaking of the Bill one day becoming law, added: "It's everything we've fought for - it's everything that's right."
The MP for Knowsley, Annalise Midgley, said in the Commons: " Nothing in this world can bring Olivia back. But instead of collapsing under this weight, Cheryl fought back."She and her family have campaigned - so no other family will suffer the same."Olivia's Law is her work. It is Olivia's legacy. It is Cheryl's legacy."Olivia's Law is a simple change: Give judges the power to compel offenders to attend their sentencing hearings.If they refuse, there are consequences - real and proportionate sanctions; limiting privileges like visitation or time out of cell."Cheryl fought hard for that principle — that refusal should carry consequences. Without it, the law would lack the strength it needs."
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