Man attacked by armed raider at home of Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder trial witness

08 August 2023 , 14:43

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Olivia Pratt-Korbel

A knifeman has slashed a man at the home of a witness in the Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder trial.

The masked man "kicked in the door" at the address in Merseyside occupied by Nicholas McHale, who previously gave evidence in support of killer Thomas Cashman.

A large police presence remains in place on Snowberry Road, between West Derby and Dovecot, with damage visible to the front door of the home occupied by the 32-year-old.

Merseyside Police confirmed a man was taken to hospital after being assaulted and has been discharged after treatment for "lacerations to the back of his head". Police have not released details of the victim's identity.

Last night the attacker forced his way into the property and struck his victim several times before leaving the scene.

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Mr McHale was called as a witness by Cashman's defence team in his trial for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia. The 35-year-old shot the child dead in her home on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, on August 22 last year.

Forensic officers were seen outside the property in Snowberry Road (Liverpool Echo)

He claimed he was at the home of a man called Craig Byrne, who lived opposite Mr McHale, at the time of the shooting. Mr McHale told the jury he stored cannabis for Cashman, and claimed he had seen and spoken to the child-killing thug in the front yard of Mr Byrne's home at the time in question.

David McLachlan, KC, prosecuting, asked Mr McHale "why are you here?". The witness replied: "Because I believe and know Thomas Cashman is innocent."

A police cordon remains in place at the scene (Liverpool Echo)

McHale, who said he had once leased his home to Cashman for a short period and went to live elsewhere before returning, denied he had been paid to give evidence in court. Mr McLachlan suggested he was "a liar", which Mr McHale denied.

Cashman, however, was convicted of Olivia's murder, the attempted murder of his intended target, Joseph Nee, and wounding Olivia's mum, Cheryl Korbel, with intent.

Ryan Merrifield