Man charged with murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool

A 34-year-old man has been charged with the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel and a another has been charged with assisting an offender, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, and Joseph Nee, and two counts of possession of a firearms with intent to endanger life.

Merseyside Police revealed on Thursday the man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody.

A 40-year-old man arrested on Friday has been charged with assisting an offender.

Chief Crown prosecutor Maria Corr said the charges had been authorised following “the review of a file of evidence received from Merseyside Police”.

Both men will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday, October 3.

Police said that they had received an “overwhelming response” from the public, and anyone with information about the incident has been asked to get in contact.

Detective chief superintendent Mark Kameen, said: “Our work continues in earnest. At the beginning of the investigation we were firm in our commitment to finding all of those involved in this case, which includes the people who have tried to shield and protect individuals, and those who have supplied the weapon or are hiding the weapons used in this incident.

“We have had an overwhelming response and support from the public since the tragic murder of Olivia and I would ask for your continued support so we can keep the promise we made to Olivia’s family and the local community to ensure that those involved face justice.

“Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.

“If you have any CCTV/dashcam/smart doorbell footage that could help our inquiries they can be downloaded on the dedicated public portal for Olivia’s murder, which will go straight through to the investigation team. Footage can be submitted here Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).

“Finally, our thoughts today are with Olivia’s Mum and Dad, Cheryl and John Francis, and their families, who throughout the last few weeks have shown incredible strength, courage, and dignity.”

Olivia was shot in the chest at her home in Dovecot, on August 22.

Her funeral was held at St Margaret Mary’s Church in Knotty Ash earlier this month.

Her mother, Cheryl, 46, was injured as the gunman chased Joseph Nee into their property at about 10pm.

Over the past few weeks, police had arrested nine others in connection who have all been released.