Bullying campaign linked to fire that killed girl's parents

An arson attack which left a couple dead may have been connected to a campaign of bullying against their teenage daughter, including an earlier attack to which police had failed to respond adequately.

Officers apologised yesterday for their lack of help after petrol or oil was poured on the doorstep of Lucy Cochrane's family home in Manchester on 7 January. Detectives are linking the incident at to another attack, five days later, in which petrol was poured through the letter box of the home and set alight, killing Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband Alex, who were asleep. Their 16-year-old daughter Lucy, who has learning difficulties, is critically ill in a hospital burns unit.

Detective Superintendent John Dineen, from Greater Manchester Police, said the earlier incident, did form part of the murder inquiry. "The action, or the lack of action, taken by the police is being referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who will investigate that matter," he said.

The couple's 25-year-old son David, an artist, who lives in London, said Lucy had been bullied for a year and a half. At a press conference at Greater Manchester Police headquarters, he said the arson attack could be the result of "sheer victimisation". He added: "These people couldn't deal with the fact that my sister was a very happy girl who didn't let things get her down.

"She was bullied at school, she was very badly beaten up and verbally abused. She took to hiding in the toilets at school because she has special needs and she thought this was the only place she could go.

"My mum, being the sort of person she was, didn't tell me a great deal about it. None of us knew exactly what was going on; mum just battened down the hatches and tried not to worry anyone with it.

"Lucy was well-liked and loved at school but bullying goes on at every school and it's so hard for the teachers to control it."

Mrs Cochrane's brother, Mike Williams, said a feud started after a girl was expelled from Lucy's school. "They [her family] weren't pleased with it at all," he said.

In the earlier attack, David Cochrane said petrol was poured on the doorstep. "My mum did call the police; she did call the necessary authorities. No one came to the house to check what my mum had said, or to check if there was vital evidence there. My mum was left on her own with it. My parents weren't vengeful people. They wouldn't have been able to cope with this situation." Mr Cochrane said his sister, who is being treated at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, remained unaware she had lost her parents and dog in the fire.

Police are inquiring into a dispute between the Ccchranes and another family believed to be linked to the bullying allegations.

Lucy attends the City College in Northenden, Manchester, but the allegations of bullying are thought to refer to her time at Newall Green High School, which she left last summer.

The headteacher of Newall Green, Neil Wilson, said Lucy left school last summer for college. She had been very happy, her attendance was excellent and she had many friends and regularly returned to school to see them.

"The Wednesday before Christmas she came in to school to give out Christmas cards and she was coming back this term to do an assignment in school," Mr Wilson said.

Police officers are interviewing a girl of 17, two women aged 39 and 65 and a 39-year-old man.