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Salford arson attack: two people remanded on murder charges Salford arson attack: three-year-old confirmed as fourth child to die
(about 4 hours later)
Two people have been remanded in custody over the murder of three children in an arson attack on their family home in Salford. A three-year-old girl has become the fourth child to die following the arson attack that killed her brother and two young sisters.
Zak Bolland, 23, and Courtney Brierley, 20, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with three counts of murder, four of attempted murder and one of arson with intent to endanger life. Police confirmed that the girl, who turned three last month, died on Wednesday – two days after their family home in Salford was targeted.
The toddler’s sisters Demi, 15, and Lacie, seven, and brother Brandon, eight, were confirmed dead on Monday following the blaze.
The mother of the children, Michelle Pearson, remains in a serious condition in hospital and it is unclear whether she has been told of the deaths of her four children.
Her 16-year-old son and his friend, of the same age, managed to survive the firebomb attack in Jackson street, where dozens of flowers and tributes have been left outside their fire-damaged home.
The three-year-old’s grandmother, Sandra Lever, informed relatives and family friends of her death on Wednesday afternoon before it was confirmed by Greater Manchester police.
Writing on social media, she said: “Just letting everyone know they just turned life machine off... as she passed away peacefully. My beautiful granddaughter go find your brother [and] two sisters, love you all so much.”
Earlier on Wednesday, a 23-year-old man and his girlfriend were remanded in custody after appearing in court over the murders.
Zak Bolland and Courtney Brierley, 20, are charged with three counts of murder, four of attempted murder and one of arson with intent to endanger life.
The pair, wearing grey prison-issued tracksuits, spoke briefly to confirm their names before being led away in handcuffs.The pair, wearing grey prison-issued tracksuits, spoke briefly to confirm their names before being led away in handcuffs.
In a hearing that lasted less than five minutes, the district judge, Khalid Qureshi, ordered that they appear at Manchester crown court on Thursday. In a hearing that lasted less than five minutes at Manchester magistrates court, the district judge, Khalid Qureshi, ordered that they appear at Manchester crown court on Thursday.
Bolland and Brierley were arrested on Monday evening after what police suspect was a “targeted” attack on the home of Michelle Pearson and her children in Jackson Street, Walkden, at about 5am. Bolland and Brierley were arrested on Monday evening after what police suspect was a “targeted” attack on the Pearson home in Jackson Street, Walkden, at about 5am.
Pearson, 35, remains in a serious condition in hospital, while a fourth child, a three-year-old girl who cannot be named for legal reasons, is critically ill.
Two 16-year-old boys, who also cannot be named, were in the house at the same time but managed to escape before fire crews arrived.
The Pearson family home is run by City West Housing Trust. A spokesman said the trust had not received an application for the family to move.
The arrest of Bolland and Brierley was filmed and posted on social media by residents less than a mile from the Pearson family home, which was destroyed by the flames.The arrest of Bolland and Brierley was filmed and posted on social media by residents less than a mile from the Pearson family home, which was destroyed by the flames.
Ch Supt Wayne Miller said Greater Manchester police were treating the incident as a targeted attack after recovering CCTV from the area. He thanked the members of the public who had come forward with information, saying the force now had a “much deeper understanding of the devastating events”.Ch Supt Wayne Miller said Greater Manchester police were treating the incident as a targeted attack after recovering CCTV from the area. He thanked the members of the public who had come forward with information, saying the force now had a “much deeper understanding of the devastating events”.
“The loss of a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose three in such deplorable circumstances words cannot describe,” said Miller. “My heart breaks for them, it really does. We’re doing all that we can to get them the answers they quite rightly deserve.”“The loss of a child in any circumstance is unthinkable, to lose three in such deplorable circumstances words cannot describe,” said Miller. “My heart breaks for them, it really does. We’re doing all that we can to get them the answers they quite rightly deserve.”
The police confirmed there had been earlier incidents at the address and it is understood police were called to a separate incident at the property at about 2am, three hours before the fire.The police confirmed there had been earlier incidents at the address and it is understood police were called to a separate incident at the property at about 2am, three hours before the fire.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is standard practice when someone dies after contact with the police.The force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is standard practice when someone dies after contact with the police.