This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6154734.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Bully row 'led to arson murders' Bully row 'led to arson murders'
(40 minutes later)
A couple were murdered in an arson attack on their home over a school bullying row involving their daughter, Manchester Crown Court has heard.A couple were murdered in an arson attack on their home over a school bullying row involving their daughter, Manchester Crown Court has heard.
Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her husband Alex, 54, were killed in the fire in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in January, but their daughter Lucy, 16, survived.Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her husband Alex, 54, were killed in the fire in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in January, but their daughter Lucy, 16, survived.
Michael Connor, 40, of Hall Street, Offerton, denies two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. Michael Connor, 40, of Hall Street, Offerton, Stockport, denies two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
The court was told his daughter Natalie had fallen out with Lucy Cochrane.The court was told his daughter Natalie had fallen out with Lucy Cochrane.
The girls were fellow pupils at Newall Green School last year. 'Harassment campaign'
The court heard Mr Connor was egged on by his ex-wife Jane, 40, and daughter, after playground rows between the two girls developed into a "campaign of harassment" by the Connors aimed at Lucy and her family. The girls were fellow pupils at Newall Green School last year. The court heard Mr Connor was egged on by his ex-wife Jane, 40, and daughter, after playground rows between the two girls developed into a "campaign of harassment" by the Connors aimed at Lucy and her family.
Lucy Cochrane, 16, survived the fire in Brooklands Lucy Cochrane, 16, survived the fire
For the prosecution, Alistair Webster QC said Lucy was bullied at school until she was arrested by police over an "entirely false allegation" of assault by Natalie. Alistair Webster QC, prosecuting, said Lucy was bullied at school until she was arrested by police over an "entirely false allegation" of assault by Natalie.
At about 0030 GMT of 12 January, Michael Connor went to the victims' home, poured petrol through the letterbox and lit the fire, Mr Webster said. At about 0030 GMT on 12 January, Michael Connor went to the victims' home, poured petrol through the letterbox and lit the fire, Mr Webster said.
Seconds later the hallway of the terrace was engulfed in flames.Seconds later the hallway of the terrace was engulfed in flames.
Mrs Cochrane's 999 call from her Warmley Road home was read out in court on Thursday.Mrs Cochrane's 999 call from her Warmley Road home was read out in court on Thursday.
'Overcome by fumes' It read: "Somebody set the front door on fire and we can't get out. Can you hurry up... overcome by fumes. Please just come."
It read: "Somebody set the front door on fire and we can't get out. Door liquid
"Can you hurry up ... overcome by fumes. Please just come." Mr Webster told the court that only five days before the fatal fire, a liquid was poured on the Cochranes' front door.
The incident was reported to the police but no officer came to test it, he said.
When fire crews arrived she had already died. Her husband was rescued but died later in hospital, and Lucy survived.When fire crews arrived she had already died. Her husband was rescued but died later in hospital, and Lucy survived.
The house was left badly damaged by the blaze
The court was shown CCTV stills from a supermarket showing that the three defendants bought a petrol can the day before the fire.
Mr Connor then bought petrol worth £3 from a Tesco service station.
Mr Connor also denies a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy.Mr Connor also denies a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy.
Jane Connor and her daughter Natalie Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, also deny two counts of murder and one of attempted murder of Lucy, and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy. Jane Connor and her daughter Natalie Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, deny two counts of murder, one of attempted murder of Lucy, and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy.
The women also both deny two counts of manslaughter, and a single count of arson.The women also both deny two counts of manslaughter, and a single count of arson.
Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice on Wednesday.Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice on Wednesday.