Man rushed to hospital after being slashed with a ‘sharp implement’ when a masked attacker kicked down the door of a defence witness in the Olivia Pratt-Korbel trial
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Police have erected a cordon at the home of a witness who gave evidence in defence of the gunman who killed Liverpool youngster Olivia Pratt-Korbel after a savage knife attack.
Forensic officers have been spotted on Snowberry Road in Liverpool, reported to be the home of trial witness Nicholas McHale, 32, following the ‘terrifying and violent’ assault on Monday night.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a door was ‘forced open’ at the address shortly after 9pm, and a man was left with ‘lacerations’ after being struck ‘several times’.
He was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.
Officers are now conducting door-to-door enquiries in the area in order to identify the offender; so far, no arrests have been made.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, was shot dead by gunman Thomas Cashman as he pursued a different target. He was convicted of murder earlier this year and jailed for life, serving a minimum of 42 years
Detective Inspector Michael Fletcher of Merseyside Police said: ‘This was a terrifying and violent attack on a man who has suffered significant cuts and wounds to his head.
‘The investigation is in its very early stages and I would like to reassure residents that our officers remain at the scene to investigate the attack.
‘At this point we believe that the offender was armed with a sharp object and we are determined to find this and whoever was responsible for this frightening assault.
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‘The incident happened late last night when people would have been inside their homes therefore I would urge residents to think about what they may have seen, or heard, as it could be vital.
‘Similarly, if you have any doorbell footage that could have captured the incident please check your systems and contact police if you have any evidence.
‘Information from our community is vital if we are to stop people carrying any dangerous weapons in Merseyside that causes such violence and fear on our streets.’
Evil Thomas Cashman (pictured) called Nicholas McHale as a defence witness during the trial. McHale claimed to have been speaking to Cashman at the time of the shooting and reportedly told the court: ‘I believe and know Thomas Cashman is innocent’
The Liverpool Echo reports that Mr McHale was called as a defence witness by lawyers acting for Thomas Cashman, who had denied shooting nine-year-old Olivia dead on August 22 last year.
Cashman, 34, was ultimately convicted of murdering Olivia, attempting to murder his intended target Joseph Nee and wounding Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, with intent, and jailed for life with a minimum of 42 years.
During the trial, Cashman had sought to claim he was at the home of a man called Craig Byrne, who lived directly opposite Mr McHale, at the time of the shooting.
Mr McHale said in court that he had seen and spoken to the gunman at the time in question.
He is reported to have told the court: ‘I believe and know Thomas Cashman is innocent.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 23000724100.
