“For the rest of the tape I’m going no comment”
Investigations into the shocking murders of Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Ashley Dale are at the centre of a new four-part documentary series called Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley and Olivia. Both victims died in the same horrific week in August two years ago. The series follows the two high-profile investigations as detectives work to find those responsible.
Olivia was killed by Thomas Cashman following a botched gangland assassination attempt. Cashman’s bullets had penetrated the front door of Olivia’s house, with one passing through the hand of her mum Cheryl before hitting the nine-year-old schoolgirl in the chest. She died soon after in hospital.
READ MORE: What happened to Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s killer Thomas Cashman and where is he now?READ MORE: Thomas Cashman aimed foul-mouthed rant to police in custody after he was arrested
After his arrest, viewers saw Cashman give a prepared statement to police but refuse to cooperate thereafter. He said: “I’ve got no involvement at all in any of these crimes that you’ve put towards me. Nothing whatsoever. I live in the area, [I’ve been] brought up in the area, I’ve got every reason to be around the area.
“But I haven’t committed no offence. I’ve got no problem with any of the people you’ve just mentioned. And for the rest of the tape I’m going ‘no comment’.”
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He proceeds to say “no comment” repeatedly to detectives as they ask him questions about the night of Olivia’s murder. Even when asked to give an alibi Cashman mutters “no comment”. Detectives were forced to conclude the interview.
READ MORE: Arrest on train that helped police catch Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s killerREAD MORE: Thomas Cashman says ‘there’s kids in here’ as footage is shown from second arrest
According to Old Bailey Solicitors, a suspect is not obliged to answer any questions put to them because everyone has a right to silence. Since anything said can be used against you in court, by giving a ‘No Comment’ interview, you are exercising your legal right and avoiding the risk of inadvertently incriminating yourself.
The offender is able to level the playing field between them and the police. By exercising his right to silence, Cashman was able to place the burden of proof onto the police so they had to work harder to prove their allegations against him, especially when the allegations are serious.
Cashman was jailed at Manchester Crown Court in April 2023. He had admitted being a “high-level” cannabis dealer, but told jurors: “I’m not a killer, I’m a dad.” Jurors found him guilty of Olivia’s murder, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, the wounding with intent of Cheryl Korbel, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The final part of Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley and Olivia will air on Thursday 22 August at 9pm on Channel 4.
