24 March 2023 , 17:38
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A man who is accused of murdering a nine-year-old girl in a botched "execution" is innocent, an alibi witness told the court today.
Nicky McHale, 32, told a jury at Manchester Crown Court he saw Thomas Cashman, 34, around the time he was alleged to have shot dead Olivia Pratt-Korbel in August last year.
He told the court he saw Cashman smoking cannabis in the garden of a house in Liverpool.
David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, asked the witness, giving evidence from behind a screen, "Why are you here, Mr McHale?"
Mr McHale replied: "Because I know Thomas Cashman is innocent."
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Mr McLachlan continued: "Been put-up to being here?"
Mr McHale replied: "No, I'm not."
Thomas Cashman is on trial for murder (tommy.cashman.71/Facebook)
Thomas Cashman appearing via video link in February (PA)Cashman is alleged to have shot convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee, 36, in the street.
Nee fled into the home of Cheryl Korbel, who tried to block his entry, the court heard.
Cashman allegedly fired again, hitting Ms Korbel in the hand, then hitting and killing her daughter Olivia, who was standing behind her.
Mr McHale said on the night of the shooting he had been watching football at his home and went outside to smoke a cigarette.
Cheryl Korbel, mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, arrives at Manchester Crown Court (PA)
John Francis Pratt, the father of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, arrives with family members at Manchester Crown Court (PA)He said he saw Cashman smoking a spliff in the front garden of the house opposite.
Mr McHale said the defendant later came to his house to smoke another spliff and asked for a drink.
He did not have any so used Cashman's van to go to a local shop to buy tins of coke, his trip being caught on CCTV.
Cashman admitted being a "high-level" cannabis dealer, making up to £5,000 a week in drugs money.
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He denied the murder of Olivia, the attempted murder of Nee, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Olivia's mother, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The trial continues.