Deadly arson duo appeal sentences
TWO people jailed for killing four children by firebombing their home are considering appeals, the M.E.N. has learned.
David Worrall – who was caged for a minimum of 37 years – and Courtney Brierley – who must serve at least ten years and six months – are considering appealing both the convictions and long sentences they were handed last month following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
It is understood their co-defendant, Zak Bolland, jailed for a minimum 40 years, has ruled out any appeal.
Worrall, 26, threw one of two petrol bombs into the home on Jackson Street in Walkden at 5am on December 11 last year.
He had denied murder, claiming he had not thrown any petrol bombs and that he believed Bolland would only be setting fire to bins.
The jury disagreed and convicted him.
Brierley, 20, helped the two men carry out the attack, urging them to put their hoods up as they purchased the petrol used in the firebombing and then going with them in the car that took them and the petrol bombs to Jackson Street.
She claimed she acted because she was in fear of her violent and abusive boyfriend, Bolland, and had not realised exactly what he was about to do.
The jury found her not guilty of murder but convicted her of four counts of manslaughter.
She was sentenced to 21 years in a young offenders’ institution and can apply for parole halfway through her sentence. Her legal team tried and failed to get the case against her thrown out midtrial, arguing she had done little more than the prosecution’s main witness, Abigail Toone, who had unwittingly acted as the trio’s getaway driver.
Bolland, who had been in a feud with the family who lived at the home, threw the second, much bigger petrol bomb into the home.
The devastating fire killed Demi Pearson, 15, and her siblings Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and threeyear-old Lia.
Their mother, Michelle, 36, was rescued but remains seriously ill in hospital.
The M.E.N. has learned that both Worrall and Brierley are considering appeals and are expected to reach final decisions within weeks.