Witness statements given by Michelle Pearson before her death have been read out at an inquest into the deaths of her and four of her children, who were killed in a firebomb attack on their home in Salford almost nine years ago.
Petrol bombs were thrown at the family home on Jackson Street in Walkden in December 2017. Michelle, 37, died almost two years later from severe burns. Her children Demi, 14, Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and three-year-old Lia were all killed in the blaze.
Statements reveal fears and determination for justice
The inquest at Bolton Coroners' Court is examining the lead-up to the attack and whether anything could have prevented it. The statements show Michelle's determination to get justice after a series of earlier attacks on her home, and her fears at the time.
A neighbour, Elaine Williams, described Michelle as a generous woman with a 'heart of gold' who adored her children. "Michelle was a brilliant mum. She was an excellent mum. Those children never wanted for anything," Ms Williams said. "Christmas was like Santa's grotto at her house. The presents were under the tree."
Threats and attacks before the firebombing
Before the fatal attack, windows of the home were smashed and a wheelie bin was set alight outside. Zak Bolland, later convicted of murder, was said to have 'bombarded' Michelle with text messages demanding money and threatening to attack the home. The inquest heard he said if he 'didn't get five tonne' he was 'going to torch' the house. The word 'grass' was spray-painted onto the house.
The children were said to have been 'terrified', with Brandon saying he didn't want to live there anymore. Michelle sought to reassure them as the house was boarded up. Teenager Demi received a text from Bolland telling her that if her mum didn't 'drop the charges' relating to the window damage 'she will get hurt'.
Ms Williams said Michelle's nerves were 'shot'. "She was fed up with all the trouble coming to her door. She just wanted out."
Reports of danger and response from authorities
Michelle told authorities she felt she was 'in danger' weeks before the tragedy. She told social workers she did not feel safe, and told Salford Council's housing department that threats had been made. In a statement, the family said Michelle asked the council to be moved but was told she 'did not meet the criteria for emergency housing'.
The fire service had sealed up her letter-box and discussed an escape plan with her. However, a coroner was told she was not classed by police as an intimidated or vulnerable witness, although Greater Manchester Police raised a referral to her social worker and the fire service.
Michelle's statements to police were read out, revealing her resolve to protect her family. She spoke of a 'complete misunderstanding' after giving an official statement following the window smashing and said she would be willing to go to court to testify. But she was 'horrified' by a decision to take no further action against Bolland, which led to him 'taunting' her and the family outside the house shouting 'NFA' - no further action.
She told police that on the morning her windows were smashed, she got a text from Bolland calling her son 'a grass' and saying he was 'getting it' if they didn't hand over £500 'by 6pm'. Less than two hours later, all the windows were put through with a hammer as two of her youngest children watched TV under them on a sofa.
Michelle reported 10 further messages from Bolland, including one saying 'you putting statements in our what?' and another claiming he would 'petrol bomb' the house. She detailed Bolland standing outside the home 'staring at me' and shouting 'NFA' and 'grass'.
Police response and convictions
The inquest heard Bolland walked free from a police station after a 12-minute 'no comment' interview over the window attack on November 26, 2017. A police officer told the court a colleague had informed him Michelle 'didn't want to go to court', and he formed the view any prosecution 'wouldn't go anywhere'. The officer was not aware Bolland was on a suspended sentence at the time, having been 'given a last chance' by a judge on November 10 over a breach of the order.
Bolland and David Worrall were jailed for life in May 2018 for the murders of the children, with minimum terms of 40 and 37 years. Bolland's then girlfriend, Courtney Brierley, who waited in a nearby car, was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter. Bolland and Worrall were also found guilty of Michelle's murder in 2021, and Brierley received an additional, concurrent, 12-year sentence.
Senior coroner Timothy Brennand said the inquest would examine whether there was 'any predictable threat to life' and 'what could or should have been done that might have prevented these deaths'. He said it would assess how state agencies worked together to manage risk after Michelle's reports. "The family are at the heart of this process," he said. "The intention is to give the family a voice."
In a statement, the Pearson family said: "Michelle had the biggest heart and the loudest laugh. She was a devoted mum and loved nothing more than playing with the children and enjoying the sunshine in the back garden, with a BBQ, or watching them have fun at the local park and lake. She would read them a story every night before bed. It is hard to sum up all the cherished memories we shared with Michelle. The amount of love cannot be put into words. All the children had such bright futures ahead of them. We miss them every day."
