Gunman Thomas Cashman, 34, fired shots into the nine-year-old's family home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on 22 August 2022, during what prosecutors described as a "ruthless pursuit" to execute another man.

He was found guilty of Olivia's murder last week, and the wounding with intent of her mother, Cheryl Korbel. Cashman got 10 years for attacking Ms Korbel.

A jury also found him guilty of the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, a convicted drug dealer who he had chased into Olivia's home before opening fire. Cashman was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 22 years for that offence.

Cashman also got 18 years each for two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

All these terms will run concurrently, meaning Cashman will be aged in his mid-70s before he is even considered for parole.

He refused to appear in the dock for sentencing. His lawyer John Cooper KC said he did not attend because he was aware the CPS were singing We Are The Champions following the verdict in the 19-day trial.

Mr Cooper said: "He is concerned that the matter is turning into a circus."

The judge, Mrs Justice Yip, said she regarded his lack of attendance as "disrespectful" to not only the court but those interested in proceedings, including the family of the deceased.

She said: "The defendant has not acknowledged his responsibility for Olivia's death and so has demonstrated no remorse. His failure to come into court is further evidence of that."

Olivia's great-grandmother died before Cashman sentencing

In court, Olivia's mother, Cheryl Korbel, read out an impact statement in which she said her daughter was "loved by everyone" and "never stopped talking".

Ms Korbel, 46, cried as she explained Olivia was due to have her hair cut to donate it to sick children but was killed just five days before the appointment.

"I just miss hearing her voice," she said.

Ms Korbel explained that while the trial has been going on, her grandmother (Olivia's great-grandmother) was admitted to hospital - and she died last night. She said she believed her grandmother was holding on to hear Cashman being found guilty.

'Olivia's name will be remembered for many years'

Sentencing Cashman, the judge described him as "relentless" in his pursuit of Nee, saying he was "wholly unconcerned for the safety of others".

Mrs Justice Yip said: "Olivia's name is likely to be remembered for many years. She should not be remembered only for her dreadful last moments."

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The trial at Manchester Crown Court heard Cashman admit to operating as a "high-level" cannabis dealer in the Dovecot area.

Cashman had been "scoping out" Nee on the day of the murder, and lay in wait for him, armed with two guns as he watched a football match at a friend's house.

In footage played to the jury, the gunman was seen chasing Nee up Kingsheath Avenue and firing three shots.

He then followed his target towards the open door of Olivia's home, where Ms Korbel had come out to see what the noise was, and fired the fatal shot into the property.

The court heard Olivia had come down the stairs saying: "Mummy, I'm scared."

The bullet hit Ms Korbel in the wrist as she tried to shut the door and struck Olivia in the chest. She died in hospital.

Olivia's death shocked the city, leading to a desperate police appeal for help to find who was responsible.

Speaking outside court last week, Ms Korbel said she was "ecstatic" at the guilty verdict.