Two found guilty of murdering mum following petrol bomb attack in Walkden
Michelle Pearson died in hospital following the fire, which killed four of her children at their home in 2017
Last updated 30th Mar 2021
Two men have been found guilty of murdering a mum who died after a petrol bomb attack in Walkden.
Michelle Pearson died nearly two years after the fire which killed four of her children.
The mum had been critically ill since the attack in December 2017, which left four of her children dead.
She passed away in hospital, where she'd been since the attack, in 2019.
On arrival, officers were confronted by a ferocious house fire which left firefighters battling to get the fire under control to rescue those inside.
'No possibility of escape'
During the course of a four week trial, the court heard how Bolland, Worrall and Brierley made homemade petrol bombs in the kitchen of a nearby address.
Brierley then waited in a nearby car while Bolland and Worrall smashed through the kitchen window of the Pearson’s home and threw homemade petrol bombs into the kitchen and living room.
This left no possibility of escape for the young children or their mother as the house was immediately engulfed in flames.
Zak Bolland and David Worrall had already been found guilty of murdering 15 year old Demi, 8 year old Brandon, 7 year old Lacie and 3 year old Lia in an earlier trial.
They'll be sentenced - alongside Courtney Brierley who's admitted manslaughter - on April the 21st.
Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Chatterton, from GMP's Major Investigation Team, said: "This was a heartbreaking case and I'm glad that Bolland and Worrall have now faced justice for the devastating death of Michelle too - 20 months on.
"The bravery shown by the family and those affected has been outstanding - they have shown so much strength throughout both of our investigations.
"Bolland and Worral planned this attack and threw their handmade petrol bombs inside. The fire spread so quickly and the heat was so intense that the smoke alarms melted before they even had a chance to sound.
"That night in 2018 rocked the community and has turned the family's life upside down. Nothing can bring Michelle and the children back but I hope they can now be given time to grieve and come to terms with what has happened.
"All of our thoughts are with the family who have been through such a difficult time and have had to sit through two trials and listen to details on what was a horrific and planned attack."
First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.