Tragedy Strikes: Mum and Children Die in Horrific Petrol Bomb Attack

The tragic voice of Michelle Pearson, who was murdered alongside four of her children in a horrific firebomb attack almost nine years ago, has been heard again at an ongoing inquest. Witness statements provided by Michelle at the time are being read out, detailing the harrowing events that led to her death and those of her children: Demi (14), Brandon (8), Lacie (7), and three-year-old Lia. The devastating attack occurred just before Christmas in December 2017, when petrol bombs were thrown at their family home in Walkden, Salford. Michelle, aged 37, succumbed to her severe burns almost two years later after enduring months in a coma, while all four children perished in the blaze. Police subsequently secured murder convictions in connection with a 'tit-for-tat' feud that tragically escalated.

The inquest is meticulously examining the circumstances preceding the attack, particularly focusing on whether any preventative measures could have averted the deaths. Michelle’s statements reveal her unwavering resolve to secure justice following a series of prior assaults on their Jackson Street home, alongside her profound fears during that period. A neighbour, Elaine Williams, described Michelle to Bolton Coroners' Court as a generous woman with a 'heart of gold' who adored her children. Ms. Williams testified that Michelle was a brilliant, excellent mum who ensured her children never lacked anything, making Christmas a 'Santa's grotto' experience at their home.

Michelle, a mother-of-six, was reportedly 'stressed and upset' due to the ongoing 'trouble coming to her door' stemming from the feud. Before the fatal firebombing, their home’s windows were smashed, and in a separate incident, a wheelie bin was set alight outside. Zak Bolland, who was later convicted of murder, 'bombarded' Michelle with text messages demanding money and threatening to attack their residence. The inquest heard that Bolland explicitly warned he would 'torch' the house if he 'didn't get five tonne'. The word 'grass' was also spray-painted on the house, further terrorizing the family. The children were 'terrified,' with Brandon expressing his desire to move, but Michelle attempted to reassure them as the house windows were boarded up. Teenager Demi also received a text from Bolland, threatening that her mother would 'get hurt' if she didn't 'drop the charges' related to the window damage.

Michelle desperately sought to move from the property, with Ms. Williams confirming that her 'nerves were shot' and she was 'at her wit's end' with the constant trouble. The inquest heard Michelle told authorities weeks before the tragedy that she felt she was 'in danger' and did not feel safe, explicitly informing social workers and Salford Council's housing department about the threats. The Pearson family stated that Michelle asked the council for rehousing but was informed she 'did not meet the criteria for emergency housing'. Before the fatal attack, the fire service had sealed her letterbox and discussed an escape plan. However, a coroner was informed that police did not classify her as an intimidated or vulnerable witness, despite Greater Manchester Police (GMP) making a referral to her social worker and the fire service, who then closed her letterbox. Michelle also told her sister she had requested an injunction against Bolland from the police to prevent him from contacting her and her children.

Michelle’s police statements highlight her determination to protect her family and seek justice. In one statement, she spoke of a 'complete misunderstanding' after giving an official statement about the window smashing, confirming her willingness to testify in court. However, the inquest heard Michelle was 'horrified' by a decision to take no further action (NFA) against Bolland, which led to him 'taunting' her and the family outside the house, shouting 'NFA'. She recounted a text from Bolland on the morning her windows were smashed, calling her son 'a grass' and demanding £500 by 6 pm. Less than two hours later, all the windows were destroyed with a hammer, as two of her youngest children watched TV beneath them. Michelle expressed her immense stress and reaffirmed her willingness to assist the police and attend court.

Michelle continued to report ten more messages from Bolland, including threats like 'you putting statements in our what?' and 'you got my dough?', alongside a specific threat to 'petrol bomb' the house. She detailed Bolland standing outside her home, 'staring at me' and shouting 'NFA' and 'grass', expressing her fear of his known violence. She called the police again, reiterating the 'complete misunderstanding' regarding her court attendance and her horror at the decision not to pursue a case against him. The inquest further revealed that Bolland was released from a police station after a 12-minute 'no comment' interview following the November 26, 2017 window attack. A police officer testified that a colleague had previously informed him Michelle 'didn't want to go to court', leading him to conclude that any prosecution 'wouldn't go anywhere' after the interview. This decision was made despite Bolland being on a suspended sentence for dangerous driving and having been 'given a last chance' by a judge for a breach of that order on November 10, information the officer claimed he was 'not aware of'. The officer stated that had he been 'fully aware of all that', he would have escalated the matter.

Ultimately, Zak Bolland, then 23, and David Worrall, then 25, were jailed for life in May 2018, ordered to serve 40 and 37 years respectively, after being convicted of the murders of the children. Bolland's then-girlfriend, Courtney Brierley, who waited in a nearby car during the attack, received a 21-year sentence for manslaughter. Bolland and Worrall were also found guilty of Michelle's murder at a separate trial in 2021, with Brierley admitting manslaughter and receiving an additional, concurrent, 12-year sentence.

Senior coroner Timothy Brennand emphasized that the inquest aims to scrutinize whether there was 'any predictable threat to life' and 'what could or should have been done that might have prevented these deaths'. Mr. Brennand confirmed the inquest would assess 'how state agencies worked together' to manage any risks identified after Michelle's reports, stating,