A man who murdered a mother and her four children in a firebomb attack had been arrested and released by police a fortnight before, despite a judge having told him he was on his “last chance”, an inquest has heard.
Zak Bolland, then 23, left a police station after giving a 12-minute “no comment” interview for breaking windows at the home of Michelle Pearson, 37, and her young family in Walkden, Salford, Greater Manchester, on 26 November 2017.
Bolland’s record was not checked at the time and he was told no further action would be taken, Bolton Coroner’s Court heard.
Thirteen days later he petrol bombed the house, killing the children and severely burning their mother, who died 20 months later.
Demi, 15, her brother Brandon, eight, and seven-year-old sister Lacie, who were sleeping in a front bedroom, all died in the blaze.
Michelle suffered 68% burns to her body and “clung on to life” until she died on 25 August 2019.
On the second day of an eight-week inquest, police who had been involved with the family before the fatal attack were questioned.
PC John Worthington of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told the inquest he went to the house after the windows were smashed and Bolland was named as the culprit.