Little Olivia Pratt-Korbel's parents came face to face with the man accused of killing her as he appeared in court for the first time.
Thomas Cashman, 34, was in Liverpool Magistrates' Court this morning alongside a second defendant, Paul Russell, 40, who is accused of assisting an offender by helping him dump his clothes and drive him to an address.
Handcuffed Cashman is alleged to have killed the nine-year-old, who was shot dead after convicted burglar Joseph Nee was chased by a gunman into her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22.
He is also charged with the attempted murder of Olivia's mother, 46-year-old Cheryl Korbel, who was injured during the incident, and Nee.
In the dock he was surrounded by four police officers during the hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes. Olivia's parents were in court along with police officers and more than 20 members of the media.
A handcuffed Cashman later appeared wearing a grey t-shirt at Liverpool Crown Court where he was remanded in custody.
He spent most of the 15-minute hearing staring at the floor and was told his provisional trial date had been set for March 6 next year. David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, said the trial is expected to last four weeks.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC said Cashman will appear at the next hearing via video-link. He also told him: 'In the meantime you must remain in custody.'
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