Inquest will ask: Did agencies fail arson victims?

An inquest will consider whether a mother and four of her children who died following an arson attack at their home were failed by the authorities.

A December 2017 blaze in Salford claimed the lives of 15-year-old Demi Pearson, her eight-year-old brother Brandon, and her sisters Lacie and Lia, who were aged seven and three respectively.

The children's mother Michelle Pearson suffered 68% burns in the petrol bomb attack and died 20 months later, aged 37.

A pre-inquest review at Bolton Coroner's Court was told the findings of a major safeguarding review following the attack would not be made public.

Murderers Zak Bolland and David Worrall were respectively jailed for a minimum of 40 and 37 years for the attack in Jackson Street, Walkden, in the early hours of 11 December 2017.

Bolland's girlfriend, Courtney Brierley, 20, was jailed for 21 years after being convicted of four counts of manslaughter.

Their trial at Manchester Crown Court heard Mrs Pearson had "begged" to be rehoused and called police on five occasions in the two weeks before the fatal attack.

Their home had been targeted, its windows and doors smashed, graffiti sprayed on the walls, and a wheelie bin had been set on fire.

Every time police were called, Mrs Pearson named Bolland.

A major safeguarding review was launched into how authorities, including the council, police and health officials, had handled contact with the family.

Sophie Cartwright KC, representing Salford City Council children's services, said a decision had been made at a "national level" not to release the report's findings.

The senior coroner for Greater Manchester West, Timothy Brennand, said he had received a copy, however, and that it had been "revelatory of matters that I thought were important".

Mr Brennand said the council was not trying to be "obstinate".

Rather, he said publication of the report could lead to "potential ramifications" for other individuals.

Further pre-inquest hearings are scheduled for 26 February and 11 April.

The full inquest is scheduled for 2 June.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected] and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.