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Family jailed over bully deaths Family jailed over bully deaths
(about 1 hour later)
A teenage bully and her parents have been jailed for killing the mother and father of a girl she was tormenting.A teenage bully and her parents have been jailed for killing the mother and father of a girl she was tormenting.
Natalie Connor, 18, plotted with parents Michael and Jane Connor, to pour petrol through the letterbox of Lucy Cochrane's house in Manchester.Natalie Connor, 18, plotted with parents Michael and Jane Connor, to pour petrol through the letterbox of Lucy Cochrane's house in Manchester.
Michael Connor set the home alight, killing Maureen and Alex Cochrane.Michael Connor set the home alight, killing Maureen and Alex Cochrane.
Connor and his wife, both 40, were jailed for a minimum of 32 years each for the murders. Natalie was jailed for 11 years.Connor and his wife, both 40, were jailed for a minimum of 32 years each for the murders. Natalie was jailed for 11 years.
She was cleared of murder, but convicted of manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and arson.She was cleared of murder, but convicted of manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and arson.
Mrs Cochrane died in the fire and her husband, Alex, died in hospitalMrs Cochrane died in the fire and her husband, Alex, died in hospital
Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, Wythenshawe, who was 16 at the time of the attack. She was severely injured in the fire.Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, Wythenshawe, who was 16 at the time of the attack. She was severely injured in the fire.
Margaret Robinson, 66, the mother of Jane Connor, who admitted perverting the course of justice by lying to police after the arson attack, was jailed for 18 months.
The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in an earlier court hearing 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 an earlier court hearing as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".
The jury was told the Connors had carried out an 18-month "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.The jury was told the Connors had carried out an 18-month "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.
The animosity stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at school and had fallen out with each other.The animosity stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at school and had fallen out with each other.
'No justification''No justification'
The court heard Natalie made up "entirely false" claims that Lucy was bullying her.The court heard Natalie made up "entirely false" claims that Lucy was bullying her.
Passing sentence Judge Maddison, at Manchester Crown Court, said: "During the closing speech of this trial, leading counsel for the prosecution described this case as being 'as bad as it gets'.Passing sentence Judge Maddison, at Manchester Crown Court, said: "During the closing speech of this trial, leading counsel for the prosecution described this case as being 'as bad as it gets'.
"This is in my view not difficult to understand why he chose those words."This is in my view not difficult to understand why he chose those words.
"These dreadful offences had their origin in no more than hostility that had developed at school between you Natalie Connor and Lucy Cochrane.""These dreadful offences had their origin in no more than hostility that had developed at school between you Natalie Connor and Lucy Cochrane."
Speaking of the arson attack he added: "Nothing can begin to justify or explain the extreme lengths to which you, Michael, Jane and Natalie Connor went on those days."Speaking of the arson attack he added: "Nothing can begin to justify or explain the extreme lengths to which you, Michael, Jane and Natalie Connor went on those days."
Steve Williams, Lucy's uncle, is now looking after her at his home in London, where she attends college.