Understand
Salford firebomb killer was released by police prior to fatal attack despite warnings
Overview
An inquest into the deaths of Michelle Pearson and her four children in a 2017 Greater Manchester petrol bomb attack has heard that killer Zak Bolland was arrested and released by police just two weeks prior to the murders. Despite having a suspended sentence and making threats to firebomb the home, police failed to check his record or review the decision to take no further action.
Key points
- Zak Bolland murdered Michelle Pearson and her four children in a petrol bomb attack in Walkden, Salford, on 26 December 2017.
- Thirteen days before the fatal attack, Bolland had been arrested and released following a 'no comment' interview after smashing windows at the family's home.
- The inquest heard that Bolland's previous convictions and suspended sentence were not checked by Greater Manchester Police during the arrest.
- An officer incorrectly recorded that house-to-house inquiries had been completed and falsely claimed the victim did not support prosecution.
- Bolland and an accomplice were jailed for life in 2018, while a third person was convicted of manslaughter.