Taken: A True Story of the Pain and Scandal of Forced Adoption (Stolen Lives)

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You are both serving terms of life imprisonment, that means that any decision about release will be made by the Parole Board at the end of the minimum term. Bolland's girlfriend at the time, Courtney Brierley, 23, who "encouraged or assisted them", was convicted of four counts of manslaughter at the first trial. His response was to go to the home of Michelle Pearson and her children and to smash the front windows with a hammer. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham responded to her tweet, writing: "Devastating news Barbara. Love to Michelle’s family, friends & the whole community." It was a decision spurred on by the drink and drugs he had taken, but he knew full well what he was doing.

You were convicted by the first jury of four counts of manslaughter, showing that you did not intend to kill or cause really serious injury. On three offences of attempting to cause serious bodily harm to Kyle Pearson, Bobby Harris and Michelle Pearson to concurrent sentences of 19 years imprisonment. The prosecution say that if Michelle Pearson had died before that trial took place, the jury would undoubtedly have convicted Bolland and Worrall of the murder of Michelle Pearson. The courts must mark the taking of a life, even if the loss of that life is additional to the loss of other lives. In June, Lever said her daughter’s health had taken a turn for the worse. “We have been reluctant to share Michelle’s journey over the past few months as we have been focusing on getting her better,” she posted on Facebook.The jurors weren’t told that she was convicted three times when she was 16 and 17 for threatening behaviour, robbery and battery. Second, I would like to thank the community for all their generous donations. And last I would like to thank everybody for coming tonight."

As for Brierley, she tried to blame her ex Bolland, claiming she was under his spell and fearful of him.Bolland and Kyle Pearson weren’t always enemies. In fact, it appeared they were on decent terms before their bust-up. On another occasion windows were broken at the Bolland home and in the fight that followed, Courtney Brierley was injured. David Worrall has been found guilty of the four murders of the children and guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent against the three survivors. He was cleared of attempting to murder them. Zak Bolland was arrested for causing criminal damage at the Pearson home but due to a misunderstanding as to Michelle Pearson’s willingness to give evidence, it was decided that the police would take no further action. Hundreds of people lined the streets for the funerals of Demi, Brandon, Lacie and Lia (Image: Joel Goodman)