A man and a woman accused of murdering three children in a house fire have made their first appearance in court.
Zac Bolland, 23, and Courtney Brierley, 20, entered the dock together at Manchester Magistrates’ Court for a brief hearing and were further remanded in custody.
The pair are accused of murdering Demi Pearson, 14, her eight-year-old brother Brandon and seven-year-old sister Lacie, who all died following a blaze in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on Monday.
Both defendants are also accused of arson with intent to endanger life and the attempted murders of the victims’ mother, Michelle Pearson, 35, and three other children who cannot be named for legal reasons.
No details of the case were presented in court as District Judge Khalid Quereshi said the matter was too serious to be dealt with in his jurisdiction and will be heard again on Thursday at Manchester Crown Court.
Demi Pearson was pronounced dead at the scene and her eight-year-old brother Brandon and seven-year-old sister Lacie later died in hospital.
Photos of the children killed emerged on Tuesday, as tributes poured in on social media.
