For 98 years
Oldest child Demi, Lacie at school, and the children’s mother Michelle Pearson counts of manslaughter but cleared of three attempted murders, was jailed for 21 years.
The jury heard Bolland and Kyle had been friends, but they fell out when the killer’s car was set on fi re and his house windows smashed last November.
He blamed Kyle and demanded £ 500 – warning he would fi rebomb his home if the former friend did not pay.
Bolland and Worrall spent the hours before the arson drinking and goading each other into action, the court heard, with Bolland threatening to “kill ’ em all”.
Heartbreaking accounts read out in court described how fi refi ghters were too late to save the youngsters.
Shaking
Brandon was found face down on his bedroom fl oor as if trying to crawl out with Lacie dead directly behind, as if following him.
Demi was found on a bunk bed, hands stretched out to the window as if trying to open it, while little Lia was found in the bath.
She was brought out alive but died two days later in hospital.
Bolland and Brierley were arrested later that day, while Worrall was seized “shaking profusely” the day after.
Bolland admitted throwing a Molotov cocktail but “only to damage the house”. Worrall said he thought they were only going to set fi re to wheelie bins, while Brierley denied knowing the men had petrol bombs.
Relatives of the lost children screamed “yes” as the jury returned unanimous verdicts after three days of deliberating.
Although out of her coma, Mrs Pearson remains seriously ill. Grandmother Sandra Lever said of the four dead youngsters: “They were lovely, quiet children.”
Outside court, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Hughes of Greater Manchester Police said: “This is one of the most heartbreaking cases I have ever dealt with.”
Later that day: Kyle, his brother and two friends, all armed with clubs and hammers, smash windows at Bolland’s mother’s home.
December 9: Shortly before 6am Mrs Pearson’s wheelie bin is set on fi re and ‘ Grass’ spray- painted on her house.
December 11: 0.40am Bolland, Worrall and others ‘ kick off’ at Jackson Street. Worrall threatens to ‘ kill ’ em all’.
3.30am Bolland, Brierley and Worrall buy a case of lager and a bottle of wine from a local garage.
4.54am: Bolland and Worral lift a garden fence panel at the back of 8 Jackson Street. Seconds later the fl ares of two petrol bombs are caught on a CCTV camera.