Derby house fire: Philpotts charged with murder of six children

MICHAEL and Mairead Philpott have been charged with the murder of their six children who died after a fire at their home in Derby, police said tonight.

Michael Philpott, known as Mick and his wife Mairead are due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning, according to Derbyshire Police.

Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, all died from smoke inhalation following a fire at their home in Victory Road, Allenton, in the early hours of May 11th.

A sixth sibling, Duwayne, 13, died of his injuries in Birmingham Children’s Hospital two days’ later, with his parents at his bedside.

The fire was found to have been started deliberately, with petrol used as an accelerant.

Philpott, 55, and his 31-year-old wife were arrested yesterday morning. Five days after the fire they appeared at a press conference where they broke down as they thanked those who tried to save their children.

Speaking after the pair were charged, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill stressed that the police investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with information about the blaze to contact police.

He said: “Following the appeal yesterday a number of people have come forward with more information but I want to stress that the two charges this evening should not be seen as the end of the investigation.

“We are determined to get to the truth of what happened and still want people to speak to us to tell us what they know about this tragedy.”

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: “The evidence was reviewed by a Crown Advocate from the CPS East Midlands Complex Casework Unit, who decided that there was sufficient evidence to charge and that it is in the public interest for a prosecution to take place.

“It is important to note that the defendants are entitled to a fair trial and nothing should be said or reported that would prejudice that right.”