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Couple convicted of bully murder Couple convicted of bully murder
(about 2 hours later)
A man and his ex-wife have been convicted of the double murders of a couple by firebombing their home over a bullying row between their daughters. A man and his ex-wife have been convicted of murdering a couple by firebombing their home after a bullying row between their daughters.
Michael Connor, 40, had admitted manslaughter, but denied murder, after attacking Maureen and Alex Cochrane's Manchester home in January. Michael Connor, 40, denied murder after attacking Maureen and Alex Cochrane's Manchester home in January.
His ex-wife mother-of-three Jane Connor, 40, was also found guilty of murder at Manchester Crown Court. Ex-wife and mother-of-three Jane Connor, 40, was also found guilty of murder at Manchester Crown Court.
The jury is still considering verdicts on their daughter Natalie Connor, 18. Their daughter Natalie Connor, 18, was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
Ms Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, denies two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson. Miss Connor was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and arson.
Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School. Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, who was 16 at the time of the attack.
The family home was badly damaged in the blazeThe family home was badly damaged in the blaze
The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in court as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in court as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".
The jury heard the Connors had carried out a "campaign of harassment" on Maureen and Alex and their daughter Lucy, who was 16 at the time of the firebomb attack. The jury heard the Connors had carried out a "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.
The inter-family animosity had stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at Newall Green School in Wythenshawe, and fallen out with each other. The animosity had stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at Newall Green School in Wythenshawe, and had fallen out with each other.
The court was told Natalie Connor harboured an "obsessive" hatred for Lucy and made up "entirely false" allegations that Lucy was bullying her.The court was told Natalie Connor harboured an "obsessive" hatred for Lucy and made up "entirely false" allegations that Lucy was bullying her.
Natalie's mother Jane Connor was a "ready ally", who plied her ex-husband with drink while inciting him to "sort out" the problem.Natalie's mother Jane Connor was a "ready ally", who plied her ex-husband with drink while inciting him to "sort out" the problem.
With money from his ex-wife, Michael Connor bought £3 worth of petrol. With money from his ex-wife, Michael Connor bought £3 of petrol.
'Engulfed in flames''Engulfed in flames'
Shortly after midnight on 12 January he poured it through the letterbox of the Cochrane's Wythenshawe home and lit a match, while Jane kept watch.Shortly after midnight on 12 January he poured it through the letterbox of the Cochrane's Wythenshawe home and lit a match, while Jane kept watch.
The hallway of the terrace in Warmley Road was engulfed in flames within seconds.The hallway of the terrace in Warmley Road was engulfed in flames within seconds.
By the time fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead and although her husband was rescued, he later died in hospital. Post-mortem examinations revealed that the pair died from burns and smoke inhalation. By the time fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead and although her husband was rescued, he later died in hospital. Post-mortem examinations revealed the pair died from burns and smoke inhalation.
Lucy survived the arson attack despite suffering severe burns.Lucy survived the arson attack despite suffering severe burns.
Michael Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, near Stockport, claimed he did not intend to kill the victims and denied the attempted murder of Lucy and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards the teenager.Michael Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, near Stockport, claimed he did not intend to kill the victims and denied the attempted murder of Lucy and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards the teenager.
Jane Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson.Jane Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson.
Natalie Connor, of the same address, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson
Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice.Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice.