Police 'failed to stop bullies'
By ANDY RUSSELL
December 16, 2006
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COPS were blamed yesterday for failing to prevent a schoolgirl bully and her parents launching a deadly arson attack.
Natalie Connor, 18, and her family waged a hate campaign against fellow pupil Lucy Cochrane, 16, because of a trivial playground incident.
It ended in the horrific murder of Lucy’s parents Alex and Maureen.
Natalie Connor was convicted of manslaughter yesterday and her parents Michael and Jane were found guilty of murder at Manchester Crown Court. They will be sentenced next week.
Natalie would target Lucy at school and on buses. She even claimed Lucy was bullying HER.
Vandal attacks were also carried out on the car owned by her parents.
Yet police in Wythenshawe, Manchester, failed to take any action against Natalie and her family. Lucy’s mother Maureen even begged police to apply for Asbos against the bully and her parents.
Shortly before the fatal fire, petrol was found on the Cochranes’ doorstep but cops said they could not take any action because there were no witnesses. Just five days later Natalie Connor got together for a drinking session at a pub with her parents, both 40.
Michael Connor, who is separated from his wife, later poured petrol through the letter box of the Cochranes’ terrace home as the victims were upstairs. Maureen, 45, died in the fire. Alex Cochrane, 54, an airport baggage handler, got out of the house but died three days later.
Lucy was carried out unconscious and is now believed to be in London.
Maureen’s dad Tom said: “The family feel let down by the police.” The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating.
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