Third person charged over Salford arson attack that killed four children

A third person has been charged with the murders of four children who died in an arson attack on their family home in Greater Manchester.

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

Worrall, of Worsley in Salford, appeared at Manchester and Salford magistrates court on Thursday and was remanded in custody until a crown court hearing on Friday.

The third charge came a day after three-year-old Lia Pearson became the fourth child to die after the targeted attack on their home in Walkden, Salford, at 5am on Monday.

The toddler’s sisters Demi, 15, and Lacie, seven, and brother Brandon, eight, were also killed in the blaze.

The mother of the children, Michelle Pearson, remains in a serious condition in hospital and it is unclear whether she has been told of the deaths of her four children.

Her 16-year-old son and his friend, of the same age, survived the firebomb attack on their home in Jackson Street, where dozens of flowers and tributes have been left.

Two other suspects – Zak Bolland, 23, and Courtney Brierley, 20 – along with Worrall are due to appear at Manchester crown court on Friday accused of the arson attack.

Bolland and Brierley appeared in court on Wednesday charged with three counts of murder, four of attempted murder and one of arson with intent to endanger life.

That indictment was laid before the death of Lia and it was believed they would now be charged with four counts of murder and three of attempted murder.

Detectives have said there were previous incidents at the victims’ home. It is understood police were called to the property at about 2am, three hours before the fire.

The force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is routine when someone dies after contact with the police.