Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family said the schoolgirl died “a scared nine-year-old” in an emotional reaction to her killer’s jailing.
Today, Thomas Cashman was jailed for life, with a minimum of 42 years for gunning down the young girl in her own home.
The tragic incident took place on the evening of August 22 last year when Cashman chased convicted burglar Joseph Nee, 36, into her home in Dovecot, Liverpool.
After being stopped from barging into the house, where Nee had run, Cashman opened fire, and the bullet passed through the door, through mum Cheryl’s hand and into the chest of the youngster.
Across the harrowing trial, the court heard a number of shocking revelations about the shooting, including how mum Cheryl begged her daughter “stay with me baby” after she had been shot.
But Cashman was eventually found guilty before refusing to appear for his sentencing today and showing no remorse.
Speaking after the conviction on behalf of Olivia's heartbroken father, Louise Pratt, her aunt, said that Olivia had “died a scared nine-year-old, and we hope [Thomas] Cashman is haunted by this knowledge for the rest of his life".
She also said that the family were happy with the outcome, but "will not be celebrating," following the “hardest seven months” of their lives.
They also thanked the jury for the decision and the witness who showed the “courage” to speak up, alongside Merseyside Police and their legal team for getting justice for “our Olivia”.
Louise also spoke out for other gun crime victims across Merseyside, like the family of Elle Edwards, and said they hoped they got the justice they deserved - the nine-year-old's death was one of three gun crimes in that week in Merseyside.
“Our greatest hope is that this conviction leads to more guns being handed into police,” she said.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum Cheryl has said the guilty verdict against Thomas Cashman confirmed the family's "belief" that he murdered her daughter.
Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court, Cheryl Korbel said Olivia "was a character".
She went on: "She was my baby, she had amazing qualities and knew what she wanted in life. Everyone adored her. She was the baby of our family and my little love my shadow.
"Now everything we do and everywhere we go is a constant reminder that she is not there with us. All that promise for her future is so cruelly taken away.
"But we can now draw a line under seven months of agonising torment we have had to endure at the hands of Cashman.
"My family and I have already started our life sentence, having to spend the rest of our life without Olivia."
Detective Superintendent Mark Baker, senior investigating officer of the case, said: "Cashman now has a long time behind bars to contemplate his actions. He won't be out for a very long time and he'll be an old man when he is.
"Today's sentence will never bring Olivia back.
"I again thank the witness who assisted in bringing justice for Olivia's family, she did the correct thing and should be proud of herself. The courage and bravery Olivia's family showed is in direct contrast to the cowardice of Thomas Cashman."
Little Olivia’s family shed tears of relief as the sentence was passed and the 34-year-old from West Derby was found unanimously guilty by a jury last week.
This afternoon, Cashman refused to appear in the dock to learn his fate despite the judge telling him to.
Professor John Cooper KC, defending, said his client was "concerned that the matter was turning into a circus" and claimed he had heard representatives of the Crown Prosecution Service "loudly" singing 'We are the Champions' after the verdict was delivered.
As the verdict was delivered gasps were heard from Olivia's family in the public gallery, with one man saying "yes". Chloe, Olivia's 18-year-old sister, put an arm around her mum who dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she held onto a teddy bear.
None of Cashman's family were in attendance.
The Liverpool Echo reported that in sentencing, Justice Amanda Yip said: "The killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel was an offence that shocked the nation. Olivia’s name is likely to be remembered for many years, but her name should not only be remembered for her terrible last moments.
"Her family have spoken of Olivia in life, and of the hopes and dreams for her future so cruelly snatched away. It is plain that Olivia was a lovely little girl who brightened the lives of her family and friends - they have suffered an unimaginable loss they must carry for the rest of their lives."
Manchester Crown Square Crown Court previously heard during a three-and-a-half-week trial that Cashman "lay in wait" for Nee while armed with two loaded guns as he watched a Liverpool FC v Manchester United football match on the television at his friend Timmy Naylor's house on Finch Lane. When he left the address with another man, Paul Abraham, the gunman approached them from behind and opened fire with a self-loading Glock-style pistol.
A chilling piece of CCTV footage showed Mr Abraham running for his life as two loud bangs rang out. Convicted burglar and drug dealer Nee was shot in the midriff at this point and stumbled to the floor as a result of his injuries.
David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, described how Cashman had "murder on his mind" and stood over the helpless man and attempted to discharge the firearm again as he begged: "Please don't. Don't lad".
But the gun malfunctioned, and Nee was able to escape. Cashman however continued his "ruthless pursuit" as he fled towards the Korbel family home.
It was this that led to the nine-year-old being shot dead.
