A regional daily has welcomed the conviction of a child murderer whose crime sparked its campaign against gun violence.

The Liverpool Echo has shared its relief after Thomas Cashman was found guilty by a jury at Manchester Crown Court of killing nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

Olivia’s murder in August last year prompted the Echo to launch a campaign against gun crime in Liverpool and demand an end to a so-called “‘anti-grass’ culture” on parts of its patch.

The Echo splashed on the guilty verdict on Friday, pictured.

Editor Maria Breslin told HTFP: “The murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel shook Merseyside and shocked the nation.

“The fatal shooting of a nine-year-old girl in the very place she should be safe, her own home, prompted despair, disbelief and an unequivocal demand for justice.

“For Olivia, for her mum and her grieving family and friends, everyone at the Liverpool Echo is relieved justice has now been served and Thomas Cashman will spend very many years behind bars for killing an innocent little girl.

“This can’t have been an easy case to solve and the outcome could have been very different had it not been for the courage of everyone who came forward with information and the bravery of witnesses. RIP Olivia.”