Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family release heartbreaking videos of the nine-year-old schoolgirl dancing, singing and laughing

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The family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel have released a heartbreaking series of videos showing the murdered schoolgirl in happier times - a day after her killer was jailed for a minimum of 42 years.

The tragic nine-year-old's infectious laugh can be heard in the clips, which show her jokingly perform a catwalk in her living room before using a hoover to pull her hair into a ponytail. 

Thomas Cashman, 34, faces dying in prison after being sentenced for Olivia's murder at Manchester Crown Court on Monday. He will be 76 before he is eligible for parole. 

The drug dealer was also convicted of wounding Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel and of the attempted murder of his intended target Joseph Nee, 36, a rival Merseyside gangster - as well as two gun-related charges. 

Ms Korbel, 46, arrived at court yesterday clutching a patchwork 'memory' teddy made from the pyjamas Olivia was dressed in while in hospital, hoping to see justice served to Cashman in person - which she was denied as he refused to leave his cell. 

Olivia was killed at her home in Liverpool by Thomas Cashman, who had been trying to shoot a  drug dealer who had barged into Olivia's house to escape

The tragic nine-year-old's infectious laugh can be heard in the clips (pictured), which show her performing a catwalk in her living room before using a hoover to pull her hair into a ponytail

Ms Korbel told the court how her mind 'keeps telling me I've forgotten to pick her up from school' as she revealed her pain that she would never get to make her Holy Communion, wear a prom dress or have a 16th birthday party. 

In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, Ms Korbel told the court: 'I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrified screams and utter devastation he had caused. That man set out to do a job and he didn't care about anyone else or who got in the way.'

Ms Korbel revealed Olivia's great-grandmother had been admitted to hospital recently and died on Sunday night, adding that she 'held out long enough to hear that coward had been found guilty'. 

She added: 'My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv, not being with her when she needed me the most. I was the first person to hold my baby girl and as her mum I should have been the last.'

Olivia jokingly performs a catwalk in her living room in new video released by her family 

Ms Korbel said her daughter - who was known as her shadow - had been due to have her hair cut five days after her death and wanted to donate 12 inches of it to the Little Princess Trust 'for sick kids to have beautiful wigs'. 

Describing returning to the family home after Olivia's death, she said: 'Right in that moment I was home, we were back to how our lives were before that night and I soaked up the surroundings until reality dawned and brought me back to my living nightmare.

 'My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv, not being with her when she needed me the most. I was the first person to hold my baby girl and as her mum I should have been the last.

'I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrified screams and utter devastation he had caused. 

Cashman, 34, was sentenced today to life in jail with a minimum term of 42 years at Manchester Crown Court 

Olivia's family arrive outside Manchester Crown Court ahead of the sentencing of the nine-year-old's killer, Thomas Cashman, 34. Pictured is Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel clutching a teddy made from the pyjamas Olivia wore in hospital

A court sketch showing Olivia's mother giving a victim impact statement to the court 

Olivia's loved ones are pictured walking into Manchester Crown Court to watch the sentencing of Thomas Cashman

'He doesn't care. His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives.

'That man set out to do a job and he didn't care about anyone else or who got in the way. He certainly couldn't own it either.

 'All that promise for her future so cruelly taken away. Now I have to drive to the cemetery to be close to my baby daughter. 

'I tell her she will live on in my heart, she will always be with us. My little shadow.' 

Reading her statement to the court, Olivia's sister Chloe, 18, said: 'August 22 2022 was the worst day of my life, the day my Olivia was taken away from us. 

'Not only did I lose my baby sister but I lost my best friend.

'When I was told she passed away I felt as though my heart had stopped beating. A piece of me left with her that night and since then I have felt as though I am in a nightmare I can't wake up from.'

Cashman refused to face Olivia's family at Manchester Crown Court, whining about CPS lawyers turning his trial into a 'circus' because they had celebrating putting him behind bars. 

He is the latest in strong of high-profile killers who have lacked the character to take their punishment in person. 

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab is plotting new legislation that would prevent murders like Cashman from skulking in the cells while their sentence is passed. 

He wants to change the law to add time onto sentences for criminals who refuse to attend their own sentencing. 

Responding to the news that Cashman had not attended court to facing sentencing, a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) source said: 'Olivia Pratt-Korbel and her family weren't able to hide from Thomas Cashman's crime - so he shouldn't be able to hide from justice.