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Bully row 'led to arson murders' Bully row 'led to arson murders'
(about 2 hours 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, Stockport, denies two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. Michael Connor, 40, of Offerton, admits lighting the fire but denies two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
The court was told his daughter Natalie had fallen out with Lucy Cochrane. Prosecutors claim he went back several times to "survey his handiwork".
'Harassment campaign' The court heard Connor was egged on by his ex-wife Jane, 40, and daughter Natalie after playground rows between the two girls developed into a "campaign of harassment" by the Connors.
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. The jury was told Natalie Connor had fallen out with Lucy Cochrane when the girls were pupils at Newall Green School in 2005.
Lucy Cochrane, 16, survived the fire Distress call
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 on 12 January, Michael Connor went to the victims' home, poured petrol through the letterbox and lit the fire, Alistair Webster QC, prosecuting, told the court.
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. The hallway of the terrace was engulfed in flames within seconds and witnesses said they saw Connor minutes before and "three or four times after" the blaze.
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.
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."
Door liquid
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.
The house was left badly damaged by the blazeThe 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. When fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead. Her husband was rescued but died in hospital.
Mr Connor then bought petrol worth £3 from a Tesco service station. The court was told that five days before the fire, a liquid was poured on the Cochranes' front door.
Mr Connor also denies a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy. The incident was reported to the police but the liquid was not tested.
'Obsessive enmity'
All three defendants were seen in a nearby pub in the hours leading up to the blaze, the court heard.
Mrs Connor was seen buying all the drinks, which Mr Webster suggested was giving her ex-husband "Dutch courage".
His partner at the time, Cheryl Coombes, told police Jane Connor had asked him to "sort out a family who had been causing trouble", Mr Webster said.
Lucy Cochrane, 16, survived the fire
The "obsessive enmity" of Jane and Natalie Connor for Lucy Cochrane and her family was the motive for the attack, he said.
"It is a tragedy of epic proportions that this young vulnerable girl has lost her parents and suffered serious injury and it arose from, and was motivated by, such a trivial and nonsensical cause."
Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, admits two counts of manslaughter but told police he never meant to harm anyone by his actions. He also denies a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards Lucy.
Patrick Cosgrove QC, for Mr Connor, said his client admitted the charge of arson.
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.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.