Olivia's Law forcing cowardly offenders to face their victims in court comes into force

Olivia's Law forcing cowardly offenders to face their victims in court comes into forceOlivia was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman on the doorstep of her home, in Dovecot, Merseyside, in August 2022 - but he refused to attend court for sentencingNewsPhil Cardy Senior Reporter17:27, 21 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesOlivia Pratt-Korbel shot on her doorstep(Image: PA)A law set up in the name of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel forcing offenders to attend court has come into force.‌Olivia was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman on the doorstep of her home, in Dovecot, Merseyside, in August 2022, in a crime which shocked the nation. Drug dealer Cashman had been chasing a rival who tried to flee by forcing his way into the property after Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, opened it.‌He was jailed for life, with a minimum of 42 years in April 2023, but refused to attend court for his sentencing, forcing Olivia’s family to campaign for a change in the law. In her impact statement to the court Cheryl said she was left “annoyed, angry and shocked” when she was unable to speak directly to Cashman and “look him in the eye”.‌View 5 ImagesOlivia Pratt-Korbel shot on her doorstep(Image: PA)READ MORE: Kingpin who ran notorious drugs gang linked to Olivia Pratt-Korbel killer jailedREAD MORE: Cocky gunman stunned as armed police arrest him for murder of Olivia Pratt-KorbelThe law means criminals who refuse to attend sentencing, or deliberately disrupt hearings, could now face additional time behind bars and face other sanctions including missing out on family visits.‌Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation announced on Tuesday that the law, as part of the Victims and Courts Bill had been finalised and will receive Royal Assent, which is a procedural formality.View 5 ImagesOlivia's mum, Cheryl Korbel(Image: PA)In a statement, signed by Cheryl and her family, the foundation said: “Those who know us personally will know it's not often we're left speechless however this right here just tak...