Murderer Zak Bolland was arrested after smashing windows at Michelle Pearson's home – and threatening to petrol bomb the property – weeks before he launched the arson attack that claimed the lives of the mum and four of her children, an inquest has heard.
He walked free from a police station after giving a 12-minute 'no comment' interview having targeted the home of Michelle, 37, and her young family on Jackson Street in Walkden, Greater Manchester on November 26, 2017.
Release despite suspended sentence
An inquest into the deaths of the mother and her children has heard Bolland was released with no further action being taken, despite being on a suspended sentence for other crimes – and having recently been given a 'last chance' by a judge.
Bolland, Bolton Coroners' Court heard, chillingly told Michelle in texts: "I want £500, or I will finish your house off. I am going to petrol bomb your house tonight."
Fatal firebombing
The firebombing on Jackson Street in Walkden, Salford, in December 2017 claimed the lives of Michelle and her children – Demi, 15; Brandon, eight; Lacie, seven, and Lia, three.
Bolland, 32, and David Worrall, 34 – then 23 and 25 – were jailed for life and ordered to serve 40 and 37 years respectively after being convicted of the murders of the children in May 2018.
Bolland's then girlfriend, Courtney Brierley, then aged 20 and now 29 – who waited in a nearby car while the attack went on – was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter.
Bolland and Worrall were later found guilty of Michelle's murder at a separate trial in 2021. Brierley admitted manslaughter and received an additional, concurrent 12-year sentence.
Investigation details
The inquest has heard three of the children died at the scene, with Lia passing away in hospital two days later. Michelle, who suffered 68 per cent burns, died in hospital of complications 21 months following the attack. She passed away clutching a photograph of four of her children, the inquest has heard.
There was a 'tit-for-tat' feud involving Bolland and others, the court previously heard. Michelle, whose children were 'petrified', had told social workers she did not feel safe in her own home, it has been said.
Police and the fire service, who sealed up her letterbox, were involved, with trial judge Mr Justice Davies detailing a 'flurry of tit-for-tat attacks'. Michelle went on to be labelled a 'grass', a word which was spray-painted on the walls of her home.
A wheelie bin in the front garden was also set alight. Mr Justice Davies told of 'a series of relatively trivial incidents gradually increasing in seriousness which had no conceivable justification, but which could and should have gone no further' in his sentencing remarks.
The inquest was told Michelle informed Salford council's housing department that 'she was in danger' before the fatal blaze, though she did not qualify for emergency housing.
On the second day of the hearing on Tuesday (October 6), a coroner heard evidence from a police officer who investigated damage at the Pearsons' home on the morning of November 26, 2017.
Windows in their living room and front door were smashed with a hammer, leaving the property 'covered in glass', the inquest heard. PC John Worthington, then a response officer, attended the scene that morning with a probationary colleague, who took a statement from Michelle.
PC Worthington said the mother named Bolland, who he said he had no prior knowledge of, as being the person responsible.
Blood was left on the door with scenes of crime specialists being called in. A crime report recorded house-to-house inquiries had been completed, but PC Worthington confirmed he only spoke to 'one person who was passing' and a neighbour who was at the Pearsons' house when he attended.
He said no statement was taken from the neighbour, who the inquest heard reported the incident. He said he 'looked about' for CCTV cameras and 'didn't see anything obvious'.
Threats and interview
PC Worthington said he tried to arrest Bolland later that day, but was unsuccessful. Two different officers reattended Michelle's property later that day, where she reported threats Bolland had made via text message.
The inquest heard she messaged: "I want £500, or I will finish your house off. I am going to petrol bomb your house tonight."
PC Worthington said he spoke to a colleague about their attendance but that he wasn't aware of the specific threats.
The officer said he interviewed Bolland, who attended at Swinton police station, where he was informed he was wanted on suspicion of both crimes on the night of November 28. Bolland offered no comment to all questions during a 12-minute interview.
The officer said he could not remember if he asked for Bolland's phone in order to check for the alleged firebombing threats sent to Michelle.
PC Worthington said his colleague had informed him sometime beforehand Michelle 'didn't want to go to court' and that as a result he formed the view following the interview that any prosecution 'wouldn't go anywhere'.
Sophie Cartwright KC, representing Salford council, said Bolland was on a suspended sentence at the time for offences including dangerous driving and had appeared in court over a breach of the order on November 10, where he was 'given a last chance' by a judge.
PC Worthington said he was 'not aware' of that and agreed with Ms Cartwright it was a 'significant factor' in the investigation.
He agreed with her that it might have 'engaged the issue of bail' and potential conditions. "It might have continued the investigation. It might make him (Bolland) realise I have had my chance," he said.
The officer added: "If I had been fully aware of all that, I would have passed the information to the custody sergeant and looked into taking the matter further."
The inquest heard he telephoned Michelle around 12.30am – around half an hour after Bolland was released – and left a message informing her of the development.
The court was told that despite PC Worthington's voicemail, she was 'unaware' of the decision to release Bolland. He is then said to have turned up at her property on December 1 and shouted he had been 'NFA'd', prompting Michelle to contact police, the court was told.
Ms Cartwright read from a police report which stated Michelle was 'upset' and which documented she had said there had been 'some sort of miscommunication' and that 'she would actually support prosecution' as she asked for the reopening of the case to be considered. PC Worthington said he was 'never aware' of that and it wasn't followed up with him.
The officer said at the time it was his 'strongly held belief' Michelle didn't support a prosecution and that he believed it was only domestic violence cases that could proceed without the support of a victim or eyewitness.
The officer agreed with the barrister representing him, Sam Green KC, that in hindsight, there were 'other avenues' that 'might have been further explored' and things he 'could have done better and differently.' He agreed it was a 'busy shift' and there was a 'lot going on' at the time.
The inquest, expected to last around two months, continues.
