The Bolton inquest heard that four children were 'petrified' by repeated attacks on their home before a petrol-bombing in December 2017 killed them. Their mother, Michelle Pearson, later died from severe burns in August 2019 after a long hospital stay. Convicted perpetrators Zak Bolland and David Worrall received lengthy life sentences, and Courtney Brierley was jailed for manslaughter. The hearing will examine whether authorities missed chances to protect the family and whether the deaths were preventable.
Children ‘Petrified’ by Repeated Attacks Before Petrol Bombing, Inquest Hears
The four Pearson children died during the petrol bomb attack, and their mother died 20 months later. [Family photos]
Four children were described as 'petrified' by a sustained campaign of harassment and attacks on their home before a petrol-bombing in December 2017 left them dead, an inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court has been told.
What Happened
Demi Pearson, 15, her brother Brandon, 8, and sisters Lacie, 7, and Lia, 3, died at their family home on Jackson Street in Walkden, Greater Manchester, in December 2017. Their mother, Michelle Pearson, then 37, suffered catastrophic burns to 68% of her body in the same attack and died on 25 August 2019 after a prolonged hospital stay.
Convictions And Sentences
Zak Bolland and David Worrall were convicted in 2018 of the murders of the four children and in 2021 were also convicted of Michelle Pearson's murder. Bolland received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years; Worrall received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years. Courtney Brierley, Bolland's then-girlfriend, was jailed for 21 years after being convicted of four counts of manslaughter.
Family Accounts And Alleged Failures
Relatives told the inquest Michelle had repeatedly reported feeling unsafe: the house had been daubed with graffiti, windows had been smashed and the family had been harassed on multiple occasions. Two weeks before the fatal blaze, the court heard, Bolland smashed windows at the property with a hammer, leaving glass scattered through the house.
'The police didn't do anything,' Kyle Pearson, who escaped the fire, said in a statement read to the inquest. Relatives said Michelle contacted police on five separate occasions and approached her social landlord seeking emergency rehousing but was refused.
Impact On The Family
Relatives and neighbours described Michelle as traumatised and desperate to move away. Her mother, Sandra Lever, said Michelle was 'beyond distressed' and that the children were having nightmares and were 'petrified' of living on Jackson Street. Neighbour Elaine Williams reported seeing Bolland smash the family's windows in the weeks before the attack.
Purpose Of The Inquest
Senior coroner Timothy Brennand stressed that the inquest is not a criminal trial but aims to establish whether there was any predictable threat to life and to identify 'what could or should have been done' to prevent the deaths. The inquest will examine agency responses and whether any opportunities to protect the family were missed.
Tributes
Anna Morris KC, representing the Pearson family, described Michelle as a devoted mother who read bedtime stories to her children. The family paid tribute to the children: Demi was a 'happy, smiley child' close to her mother; Brandon had an infectious smile and was a 'mummy's boy'; Lacie was described as a little 'diva'; and Lia as a chatterbox with a cheeky laugh. A family statement added, 'All of the children had such bright futures ahead of them. We cherish the short time we shared with them.'
The inquest is continuing.
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