Police arrest couple on train linked to Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murder
Couple arrested on train over Olivia Pratt-Korbel case, woman becomes key witness
Police footage has aired showing the arrest of a couple on a train in connection with the killing of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Olivia was shot dead on the night of August 22, 2022, when a gunman forced entry into her family’s Dovecot home.
In a new episode of Merseyside Detectives, a documentary series, police are seen boarding an Avanti train after a tip-off related to the case.
Authorities received intelligence that a man believed to have assisted Olivia’s killer had left Liverpool. They sent an arrest team to intercept him and his girlfriend, who were travelling first class. In the footage, the woman protests to police, saying, “We were coming straight to yous you know, we were coming straight to yous.”
The couple were taken off the train at Runcorn Station and arrested. The woman, sounding distressed and breathless, asks, “Can you please get me away from everyone. I’m having a panic attack, it’s not alright.” At Belle Vale Police Station, they were placed in separate custody suites for questioning. The woman expressed her desire to remain unseen, saying, “I just want to hide so no one can see I am here that’s the main thing. I just want no one to know I am here.” She later added, “Listen, I need to talk to someone ASAP.”
The arrest was pivotal in the investigation into Olivia’s murder. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later testified in court that her “world came crumbling down” on the day of her arrest.
She became a key witness, claiming that Thomas Cashman, who was later convicted of Olivia’s murder, appeared at her bedside unexpectedly on the night of the incident, asking for a “pair of pants.”
Manchester Crown Court heard that the gunman was chasing 36-year-old Joseph Nee, who barged into the Korbel home while fleeing. The woman stated in court that she came forward because she “could never forgive” someone who harmed a child.
She recounted hearing about police searching her house while she was out with relatives and rushing back to Liverpool by train. Her voice breaking, she described the moment: “That’s when my world had come crumbling down. We got about 12, 15 police officers swooping on the train.”
In the documentary, officers are seen discussing her arrest in a briefing. They described her as “very emotional and fearful for her life” when taken into custody.
She reportedly told them, “I’ll tell you what’s happened, but I want protection. I’m scared, I’m terrified. I’m scared for my life, and my partner’s life. I’m not going to answer any questions, I’m going to answer no comment unless you can offer me that protection.”
Other Perspective
- Mirror.co.uk covers the arrest of a couple connected to the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, detailing the emotional distress and key witness testimony.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What was the reason for the couple’s arrest on the train?
They were arrested in connection with the killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Who was Olivia Pratt-Korbel?
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was a nine-year-old girl who was shot dead in her home.
What did the woman say when she was arrested on the train?
She protested, claiming they were coming straight to the police and later had a panic attack.
How did the woman contribute to the investigation?
She became a key witness, providing evidence against Thomas Cashman, Olivia’s convicted murderer.
Why did the woman decide to come forward with information?
She said she ‘could never forgive’ someone who hurt a child.
