‘Horrible’ relationship of firebomb accused
A WOMAN accused of helping arsonists torch a family house – causing a blaze in which four children died – told a murder trial she had wanted to leave her co-accused and go home before they allegedly firebombed the property.
Courtney Brierley, 20, told a jury she had been involved in a ‘toxic and horrible’ relationship with her boyfriend, Zak Bolland, 23, who has admitted arson, and that he ‘wouldn’t let her go’ to her mother’s house on the night of the fire.
The jurors have previously heard that two petrol bombs were thrown into the home on Jackson Street in Walkden at 5am on December 11, killing Demi Pearson, 15, and her siblings Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and three-year-old Lia.
Their mother, Michelle, 36, was also rescued but remains seriously ill in hospital following the incident on December 11.
Another sibling, Kyle Pearson, and his friend, Bobby Jackson, both 16 at the time, jumped to safety from a first-floor bedroom.
Prosecutors say Kyle had been involved in a feud with Zak Bolland which culminated in the fatal arson attack.
As the trial resumed at Manchester Crown Court, Miss Brierley said she had been watching films in bed at Mr Bolland’s home on Blackleach Drive in Walkden when a group of people arrived with drink.
The prosecution say she ‘encouraged and assisted’ Bolland and another defendant, David Worrall, when she went with them to Jackson Street in a car.
She said she didn’t want to drink that night, but that her boyfriend sent her a text saying ‘stop being morbid.’
Miss Brierley said she wanted to go home to her mum’s house but Mr Bolland ‘wouldn’t let her.’
She admitted she had drunk a couple of bottles of Budweiser and had also taken cocaine that night when questioned by her barrister Andre Hall QC.
Miss Brierley said she had not considered leaving Mr Bolland ‘because I loved him.’ He was her first serious boyfriend and at first it was ‘nice,’ but it became ‘toxic and horrible,’ she told the court.
“It started with him not allowing me to see my friends. I felt isolated and had no one to speak to,” she said.
Zak Bolland, 23, of Blackleach Drive, Walkden, admits arson being reckless as to life being endangered but he denies four counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Courtney Brierley, 20, of Worsley Avenue, Walkden and David Worrall, 26, of Worsley Avenue, Walkden; also deny four counts of murder, three of attempted murder and one charge of arson being reckless as to whether life being endangered.
Proceeding