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Couple convicted of bully murder Family convicted for bully deaths
(40 minutes later)
A man and his ex-wife have been convicted of murdering a couple by firebombing their home after a bullying row between their daughters. A teenage bully has been convicted of manslaughter after the parents of a girl she taunted in the playground were killed in an arson attack.
Michael Connor, 40, denied murder after attacking Maureen and Alex Cochrane's Manchester home in January. Natalie Connor, 18, and her parents Michael and Jane, both 40, plotted to pour petrol through the letterbox of Lucy Cochrane's house in Manchester.
Ex-wife and mother-of-three Jane Connor, 40, was also found guilty of murder at Manchester Crown Court. Her father set the home alight, killing Maureen and Alex Cochrane and severely injuring their daughter.
Their daughter Natalie Connor, 18, was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Connor and his wife were both convicted of murder at Manchester Crown Court.
Miss Connor was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and arson. Their daughter was cleared of murder, but was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and arson.
They will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 20 December.
Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, who was 16 at the time of the attack.Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, who was 16 at the time of the attack.
The family home was badly damaged in the blaze href="/1/hi/england/manchester/6174989.stm" class="">The repercussions of bullying
The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in court as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in court as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".
The jury heard the Connors had carried out a "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.The jury heard the Connors had carried out a "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.
The animosity had stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at Newall Green School in Wythenshawe, and had fallen out with each other. The animosity stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at Newall Green School in Wythenshawe, and had fallen out with each other.
The court was told Natalie Connor harboured an "obsessive" hatred for Lucy and made up "entirely false" allegations that Lucy was bullying her.The court was told Natalie Connor harboured an "obsessive" hatred for Lucy and made up "entirely false" allegations that Lucy was bullying her.
Natalie's mother Jane Connor was a "ready ally", who plied her ex-husband with drink while inciting him to "sort out" the problem.Natalie's mother Jane Connor was a "ready ally", who plied her ex-husband with drink while inciting him to "sort out" the problem.
With money from his ex-wife, Michael Connor bought £3 of petrol.With money from his ex-wife, Michael Connor bought £3 of petrol.
'Engulfed in flames''Engulfed in flames'
Shortly after midnight on 12 January he poured it through the letterbox of the Cochrane's Wythenshawe home and lit a match, while Jane kept watch.Shortly after midnight on 12 January he poured it through the letterbox of the Cochrane's Wythenshawe home and lit a match, while Jane kept watch.
The hallway of the terrace in Warmley Road was engulfed in flames within seconds. The hallway of the terrace in Warmley Road was engulfed in flames and reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees centigrade in minutes.
By the time fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead and although her husband was rescued, he later died in hospital. Post-mortem examinations revealed the pair died from burns and smoke inhalation.By the time fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead and although her husband was rescued, he later died in hospital. Post-mortem examinations revealed the pair died from burns and smoke inhalation.
Lucy survived the arson attack despite suffering severe burns.Lucy survived the arson attack despite suffering severe burns.
Michael Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, near Stockport, claimed he did not intend to kill the victims and denied the attempted murder of Lucy and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards the teenager.Michael Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, near Stockport, claimed he did not intend to kill the victims and denied the attempted murder of Lucy and a single count of grievous bodily harm with intent towards the teenager.
Jane Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson.Jane Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson.
Natalie Connor, of the same address, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arsonNatalie Connor, of the same address, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson
Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice.Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice.