Murder suspect, 25, smiles throughout his first court appearance as he stands accused of killing four children in an horrific arson attack on their home

  • David Worrall, 25, of Worsley has been charged with four counts of murder 
  • Lia Pearson, three, had life support switched off last night, grandmother reveals
  • Three siblings Demi, 14, Lacie, seven, and Brandon, eight, died in fire on Monday
  • Zac Bolland, 23, and girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20, were in court yesterday
  • Couple charged with three counts of murder - but this will now increase to four 
  • Mother Michelle fighting for life in hospital and does not know children are dead
  • Mother-of-five was bringing up children alone after her partner died of cancer

An arson suspect accused of murdering four children in a petrol bomb attack on their house while they slept smiled throughout much of his first court appearance today.

David Worrall, 25, of Worsley has been charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life. 

He appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today and stood and smiled repeatedly during the two-minute hearing before District Judge Khalid Qureshi.

He spoke only to give his name and date of birth and to state that he was of no fixed abode.

Worrall was remanded in custody to appear before a judge at Manchester Crown Court tomorrow alongside murder suspects Zac Bolland, 23, and his girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20.

They are accused of killing Demi Pearson, 14, her sister, Lacie, seven, and their eight-year-old brother, Brandon, in a blaze on Monday night.

The children’s youngest sister, Lia, three, died from her injuries on Wednesday. Their mother Michelle is still fighting for her own life in hospital. 

David Worrall, 25, of Worsley, who is known as 'Davey' to his friends, has been charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life
Worrall appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today and stood and smiled repeatedly during the two-minute hearing before District Judge Khalid Qureshi

David Worrall, 25, of Worsley, left, who is known as 'Davey' to his friends, right in the dock, has been charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life

Zac Bolland, 23, and Courtney Brierley, 20, (pictured together) have been charged with the arson attack that killed four children on Monday

Zac Bolland, 23, and Courtney Brierley, 20, (pictured together) have been charged with the arson attack that killed four children on Monday

Lia Pearson was rescued from the burning terraced house in Walkden at 5am on Monday morning after fire bombs were thrown at the front door, through a window and down the chimney.
Their mother has been named as Michelle Pearson (pictured) and is still in hospital in a serious condition 

Lia Pearson (left) was rescued by fire crews from the burning terraced house in Walkden at 5am on Monday morning but has died 48 hours later. Her mother Michelle (right) has no idea four of her children have died and she is fighting for her own life

Lia's grandmother revealed her life support machine had been switched off after she failed to recover

Lia's grandmother revealed her life support machine had been switched off after she failed to recover

A prison van believed to be carrying Worrall arrives at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court this morning

A prison van believed to be carrying Worrall arrives at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court this morning

Three children died in the devastating house fire in Jackson Street, Walkden and another three-year-old is fighting for her life

Three children died in the devastating house fire in Jackson Street, Walkden and another three-year-old is fighting for her life

Yesterday the three-year-old girl trapped in the arson attack that claimed the lives of her three siblings has also died after her life support machine was switched off.

Lia Pearson was rescued from the burning terraced house in Walkden at 5am on Monday morning after fire bombs were thrown at the front door, through a window and down the chimney.

But after 48 hours in intensive care the little girl was allowed to 'pass away peacefully', her grandmother has revealed.

Sandra Lever posted on Facebook: 'Just letting everyone know they just turned life machine off on Lia - my beautiful granddaughter go find your brother [and] 2 sisters love you all so much.' 

Miss Brierley 

Miss Brierley was arrested at the same time as her boyfriend on Monday night after being pulled over by police

Zac Bolland, 23, and his girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20, appeared in court yesterday charged with the murders of Michelle Pearson's daughter Demi, 14, son Brandon, eight, and daughter Lacie, seven.  They will also be charged with Lia's murder.

Their mother Michelle is still in a critical condition in hospital and 'fighting for her life' and she does not know four of her children have perished.

The couple only spoke to confirm their names and ages before being remanded in custody when they will appear together in the dock at Manchester Crown Court today.

Three petrol bombs are believed to have been thrown into the house - including one down the chimney - killing Michelle Pearson's daughter Demi, 14, son Brandon, eight, and daughter Lacie, seven, as they slept in Walkden, Greater Manchester at 5am on Monday. 

Their mother, 35, is heavily sedated in hospital and unaware of the tragedy.

Bolland was arrested in the street after police dragged him from his car with Brierley on Monday night as a crowd screamed abuse.

As Courtney and Zac stood together in grey jumpers and tracksuit bottoms, they stared intently at district judge Khalid Qureshi as he read out the charges against them. 

Courtney wore her black hair loose and no make up. She had a look of distress on her face as she was quickly led out in handcuffs by a guard. 

Zac held a blank expression as he heard the charges and failed to glance at his girlfriend throughout the two minute hearing. 

No family are believed to have been present in court, of either the accused or their victims. 

No details of the case were presented in court as District Judge Khalid Quereshi said the matter was too serious to be dealt with in his jurisdiction and will be heard again on Thursday at Manchester Crown Court. 

They will now face a fourth murder charge after the three-year-old's death. They are also accused of attempted murder as well as arson with intent to endanger life. 

The couple appeared together in the dock together and will face Manchester Crown Court tomorrow 

Courtney Brierley was arrested the same time as her boyfriend on Monday night after police pulled over her car
Courtney Brierley was arrested the same time as her boyfriend on Monday night after police pulled over her car

Courtney Brierley was arrested the same time as her boyfriend on Monday night after police pulled over her car

A forensics officer inspects the chimney where a fire bomb is believed to have been dropped into the house below

A forensics officer inspects the chimney where a fire bomb is believed to have been dropped into the house below

Neighbours of Zac Bolland claimed the house he shares with his mother had its windows smashed around two weeks ago.

Lia Pearson is the fourth fatality and was youngest victim of the fire aged just three

Lia Pearson is the fourth fatality and was youngest victim of the fire aged just three

Police cordoned off his house yesterday and removed evidence including empty bottles and a length of pipe.  

A woman round the corner from the Pearson's home said: 'I was physically sick when I heard those kids had died. I hope whoever's done this rots in hell'.

Describing Zac Bolland's arrest at around 7pm last night Kyle Skelhorn, 31, said: 'My girlfriend was coming home from work last night at about 6pm and she was adamant she'd seem him driving down the road.

'She said: 'I'm sure he's just driven past in a car'. We saw him being pulled from the car by police and being patted down. He flipped his hood up over his head when he saw I was videoing him. The police led him away to a van.

'We've had dealings with Zac Bolland in the past – he's not a pleasant person'. 

Lauren Murray, who captured the moment in Grosvenor Road at around 6pm, said: 'I was walking down the street to go home and saw the police driving down really slow and then they pulled up outside my house.

'The next thing, I saw Zak in a silver car so I got my phone out and started filming. Courtney was sat in the back of the car surrounded by police while he was led away, her face was just white.'

Bolland who has been charged with murder over the alleged arson attack that killed three children and critically injured another

Bolland who has been charged with murder over the alleged arson attack that killed three children and critically injured another

Bolland, 23, was today charged with three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder as well as arson with intent to endanger life. His girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20, has been charged with the same offence
Bolland, 23, was today charged with three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder as well as arson with intent to endanger life. His girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20, has been charged with the same offence

Bolland, 23, was charged with three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder as well as arson with intent to endanger life. His girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20, has been charged with the same offences

This is the moment a suspect in the Salford arson attack (pictured in a white top) was arrested on suspicion of murder in front of a crowd baying for his blood

Brandon, eight, and Lacie, seven, pictured with Peppa Pig, also died following the tragedy in the early hours of Monday

Brandon, eight, and Lacie, seven, pictured with Peppa Pig, also died following the tragedy in the early hours of Monday

Brandon Pearson, eight, and Lacie Pearson, seven, died in the Manchester fire (pictured together)

Brandon Pearson, eight, and Lacie Pearson, seven, died in the Manchester fire (pictured together)

Demi Pearson, 14, was the oldest child to be killed in the suspected arson attack in the early hours of December 11
Mother Michelle, 35, survived but is fighting for her life

Demi Pearson, 14, was the eldest child to be killed in the deliberate fire in Manchester yesterday as it emerged police had already been to their house hours earlier. Her mother Michelle, 35, survived but is fighting for her life

Timeline: How the fire horror unfolded

2am

Police called to the house after an incident and leave again.

4.58am

Fire service called to Jackson Street in Walkden, Salford, after reports of a large fire in terraced house.

7.26am

Street closed off as it emerges six people - five from the same family - are taken to hospital. 

12.11pm

Neighbours describe hearing 'screaming and banging' during the night and a 'quite loud' argument

1.41pm

Police confirmed three children died in the fire and a three-year-old girl remained in hospital in a critical condition with her 35-year-old mother 

2.46pm

First victim of the fire was named as 14-year-old Demi Pearson.

6.58pm

Police arrest man, 23, and a woman, 20, on suspicion of murder. 

7.58pm

Demi's younger brother Brandon, eight, and his sister Lacie, seven, named as victims.

8.51pm

Police make three further arrests. Two men, 18 and 20, held on suspicion of murder. Man, 24, held on suspicion of assisting an offender

Source: MEN

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A neighbour of Courtney's mum Jackie, in Worsley, Manchester said 'They have a real reputation in the area. Everyone will know who Courtney is.

'I know the family live here but I wouldn't be surprised if they get moved off the estate after all of this.

'She hung around more on another estate so we didn't see her that much but we knew her when she was here.

'It's awful what has happened and I don't know what led to it.

'I really wouldn't be surprised if they get moved.' 

It has also emerged that Michelle Pearson has suffered a number of tragedies in recent years and was forced to bring up her five children alone after her long term partner Paul died of cancer a year ago.

Family friend Kyle Skelhorn, 31, said: 'It's devastating. The mum tries her hardest to make ends meet. It's a crying shame a poor family can experience this'.   

Floral tributes, toys and candles have swamped the pavement outside the house.

Investigators, wearing white plastic suits, took pictures of the roof and chimney of the burned-out property.

The heavy-duty blockade is lined with police vehicles and officers making enquiries as they patrol the scene.

The large steel blanket blocks off public access to the street as people from the surrounding community pay tributes.

A smiley emoji soft-toy placed underneath the Jackson Street road sign has the words 'RIP Demi, Brandon and Lacie' penned across it.

A fundraising site has also been launched to support the family with £1,000 raised from a £2,000 target.

The fire may have been started after fuel was poured into the house from the roof and set alight after clambering up some scaffolding.

Pictures from the scene show the fire-damaged window frames of the house

Pictures from the scene show the fire-damaged window frames of the house. There are claims the fire may have been started via the chimney after climbing up the scaffolding (pictured left) and forensics teams are using a high ladder to inspect its roof

A plastic bottle and a length or pipe was taken away from a property around a mile from the fire where the suspect is believed to live with his mother

A plastic bottle and a length or pipe was taken away from a property around a mile from the fire where the suspect is believed to live with his mother

The scorched and fire damaged windows of the property where three 'petrol-fuelled' fires are believed to have been started while the family slept inside

The scorched and fire damaged windows of the property where three 'petrol-fuelled' fires are believed to have been started while the family slept inside

Neighbours of Bolland's described their shock today. 

One father-of-two on the street said: 'They're an alright family. There were four boys that were all brothers and their mum, from what I could tell.

'I work nights and didn't see or hear anything until I came home from work yesterday morning and the police were sat outside.

'The lads were alright to talk to when they walked past. There was Zac who I'd say was around 23, an older one I think then there were two others who were teenagers or about 20.

'I'd see them on the street and say hello but that's it. I never saw them involved in any trouble on this street. 

Another neighbour, who didn't wish to be named said: 'I'm friends with their mum and only saw her on Sunday afternoon. 

'She never mentioned any trouble. She moaned about typical stuff that young lads get up to but never anything like that. Their mum is a good woman.' 

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