Walkden Arson Attack: Mother Describes Children's Terror Before Fatal Fire
The mother of four children murdered in an arson attack at their home in Walkden, Greater Manchester, described how her offspring were 'petrified' in the period leading up to their deaths. Michelle Pearson's testimony was heard during an inquest into the fatalities of Demi Pearson, 15, Brandon Pearson, 8, Lacie Pearson, 7, and Lia Pearson, 3.
The children died after petrol bombs were thrown into their home in December 2017. Their mother, Michelle, also sustained severe burns in the blaze but survived. The inquest heard evidence that the family had been subjected to months of threats and harassment, including a prior attempt to set fire to their wheelie bin and damage to their windows.
In a recorded police interview played during the proceedings, Ms Pearson recounted her children's fear, detailing how they would 'jump' at any noise and were visibly anxious. The court was informed that police had been called to the address on multiple occasions due to incidents involving a rival gang. Paul Massey, the notorious Salford crime figure, was reportedly a family friend and had been murdered two years prior, though any direct link to the arson attack was not explicitly detailed at this stage of the inquest.
Two individuals, Zak Bolland and David Worrall, were convicted of four counts of murder and received life sentences for their roles in the attack. Courtney Brierley was also convicted of four counts of manslaughter.
