Former Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker joined the force in 1994 before retiring in July this year
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker, who was the senior investigating officer on the investigation into the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel speaks to the media following the culmination of the trial (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
The senior investigating officer (SIO) in the Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder case has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Now retired Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker has been awarded the King’s Police Medal following the culmination of a 30-year police career that finished in July this year.
The former senior copper, who finished his career as the SIO of Merseyside Police’s major crime unit, worked on a series of high profile cases in Merseyside including the fatal shooting of schoolgirl Olivia in August 2022. Before that the former DCS led the probe into the contract killing of John Kinsella, who was killed in May 2017, which had links to the murder of Salford’s “Mr Big” Paul Massey in 2015.
He and his team ensured the hitman Mark Fellows, known by the nickname “The Iceman”, was sentenced to a whole life tariff for the two murders. The former officer joined the force in 1994 and his first posting was in Bromborough. During a 30 year career he served as a constable in the operational support division and then the support group at Smithdown Lane.
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He was later promoted to sergeant in the force control which was based at Canning Place. From there he went on to the force’s intelligence bureau where he served in every rank from sergeant to superintendent. Former DCS Baker said the role gave him an “excellent foundation in understanding serious and organised crime”.
He then became the first detective to lead a covert syndicate with no prior covert policing experience. He later moved to his “dream role” heading up the force’s major crime unit, where his first case was the Iceman’s sickening ambush of Kinsella. During covid he set up a specialist team to ensure those who died during covid were treated with dignity and respect.
His most high-profile contributions came in the months after a tragic week in Merseyside’s history, where three people – Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale and nine-year-old Olivia – were fatally shot. He was initially the SIO on the murder of Ms Dale, who was shot dead by a hit team dispatched to kill her drug dealer boyfriend.
He handed over the investigation to Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings soon after and instead took up the probe into Olivia’s death. Olivia was shot dead inside her own home in Dovecot when Thomas Cashman – a drug dealer and suspected hitman – chased down his target Joseph Nee and sprayed bullets through her front door.
The former officer led the faced-paced and challenging investigation that culminated with the conviction of Cashman, who was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 42 years. Speaking later to the ECHO, he described the case as “the worst thing I have ever investigated” in his career.
Speaking about Cashman, who refused to face his sentence, former DCS Baker told the press outside court: “The courage and bravery that Olivia’s family have shown is in direct contrast to the cowardice shown by Thomas Cashman.”
He later added: “He has deprived a nine-year-old girl of her future, and her family of the pride they would have had in watching her grow up. When he found out that he had shot an innocent young girl, he should have had the courage to stand up and come forward. Instead, he chose to lay low, despite being a dad himself.”
Regarding the medal, the retired officer said: “Policing is about people, and serving the community of Merseyside has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to work and meet some of the most inspirational people in the UK. To have been considered for the King’s Police Medal is the greatest honour of my career.
“I am extremely proud and humbled by the award. I think it reflects the excellent investigative work that takes place across Merseyside day in, day out. I want to thank my wife and family for their support. I also want to thank those responsible for nominating me I am extremely honoured.”
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who received the medal in April 2024, added: “Mark is so deserving of this award and on behalf of all the officers and staff of Merseyside Police I would like to personally congratulate him on this fantastic honour. Mark’s passion for the job and his desire to do right by people shone out in everything he did, with both his colleagues and victims, and victim families who he supported and worked with.
“It is an absolute pleasure to see him recognised for the hard work and commitment that he has demonstrated, with humility and compassion, throughout his 30 years’ service, to the communities of Merseyside.”