This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6154734.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bully row 'led to arson murders' | Bully row 'led to arson murders' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A couple were murdered in an arson attack on their home over a school bullying row involving their daughter, Manchester Crown Court has heard. | A couple were murdered in an arson attack on their home over a school bullying row involving their daughter, Manchester Crown Court has heard. |
| Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her husband Alex, 54, were killed in the fire in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in January, but their daughter Lucy, 16, survived. | Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her husband Alex, 54, were killed in the fire in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in January, but their daughter Lucy, 16, survived. |
| Michael Connor, 40, of Hall Street, Offerton, denies two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. | Michael Connor, 40, of Hall Street, Offerton, denies two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. |
| The court was told his daughter Natalie had fallen out with Lucy Cochrane. | The court was told his daughter Natalie had fallen out with Lucy Cochrane. |
| The girls were fellow pupils at Newall Green School last year. | The girls were fellow pupils at Newall Green School last year. |
| The court heard Mr Connor was egged on by his ex-wife Jane, 40, and daughter, after playground rows between the two girls developed into a "campaign of harassment" by the Connors aimed at Lucy and her family. | The court heard Mr Connor was egged on by his ex-wife Jane, 40, and daughter, after playground rows between the two girls developed into a "campaign of harassment" by the Connors aimed at Lucy and her family. |
| Lucy Cochrane, 16, survived the fire in Brooklands | Lucy Cochrane, 16, survived the fire in Brooklands |
| For the prosecution, Alistair Webster QC said Lucy was bullied at school until she was arrested by police over an "entirely false allegation" of assault by Natalie. | For the prosecution, Alistair Webster QC said Lucy was bullied at school until she was arrested by police over an "entirely false allegation" of assault by Natalie. |
| At about 0030 GMT of 12 January, Michael Connor went to the victims' home, poured petrol through the letterbox and lit the fire, Mr Webster said. | At about 0030 GMT of 12 January, Michael Connor went to the victims' home, poured petrol through the letterbox and lit the fire, Mr Webster said. |
| Seconds later the hallway of the terrace was engulfed in flames. | Seconds later the hallway of the terrace was engulfed in flames. |
| Mrs Cochrane's 999 call from her Warmley Road home was read out in court on Thursday. | Mrs Cochrane's 999 call from her Warmley Road home was read out in court on Thursday. |
| 'Overcome by fumes' | 'Overcome by fumes' |
| It read: "Somebody set the front door on fire and we can't get out. | It read: "Somebody set the front door on fire and we can't get out. |
| "Can you hurry up ... overcome by fumes. Please just come." | "Can you hurry up ... overcome by fumes. Please just come." |
| When fire crews arrived she had already died. Her husband was rescued but died later in hospital, and Lucy survived. | When fire crews arrived she had already died. Her husband was rescued but died later in hospital, and Lucy survived. |
| Mr Connor also denies a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy. | |
| Jane Connor and her daughter Natalie Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, also deny two counts of murder and one of attempted murder of Lucy, and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy. | Jane Connor and her daughter Natalie Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, also deny two counts of murder and one of attempted murder of Lucy, and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy. |
| The women also both deny two counts of manslaughter, and a single count of arson. | The women also both deny two counts of manslaughter, and a single count of arson. |
| Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice on Wednesday. | Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice on Wednesday. |