Police admit 'nothing' done to protect family before firebomb attack

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

A police officer has admitted 'nothing' was done to protect a mother and four children despite a 999 call hours before a fatal arson attack in 2017.

Michelle Pearson called 999 hours before petrol bombs were thrown at her home in Walkden, Salford on 11 December 2017. The attack killed four of her children: Demi, 15, Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven and Lia, three. Michelle died in August 2019 after suffering severe burns and spending months in a coma.

Zak Bolland had made previous threats to 'petrol bomb' the property and to smash the windows two weeks before the attack. Police attended the scene at 01:25 on 11 December 2017 after Michelle's 999 call. At an inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court, PC Mike Grundy admitted 'nothing' was done to keep the family safe, saying he did not think there was a 'risk of fire' at the home despite Bolland's threats.

Bolland and David Worrall were jailed for life in 2018 for the murder of the four children, and convicted in 2021 of Michelle's murder. Bolland was sentenced to life with a minimum of 40 years, and Worrall to life with a minimum of 37 years. The inquest, lasting eight weeks, is examining police and social services contact with Michelle in the weeks before the fire and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

Police admit 'nothing' done to protect family before firebomb attack — Image: BBC Manchester

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How it is being reported

'Nothing' done to keep family safe after 999 callMichelle Pearson called 999 hours before a fatal arson attack killed her four children in 2017.BBC Manchester · 13 Oct, 15:39
'Presents under the Christmas tree' as mum and children died in petrol bomb horrorNine years after four children were killed in a petrol bomb attack on their Walkden home, an eight-week inquest at Bolton Coroners' Court hears the voice of their late mum, Michelle Pearson - exposing how police dropped charges against killer Zak Bolland weeks before the tragedy.Manchester Evening News · 11 Oct, 19:13

In this story: Michelle Pearson · Zak Bolland · David Worrall · Walkden · Salford · Bolton Coroner's Court

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