Derby council house fire manslaughter trial: man denies killing own children

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Legal

A man accused of killing six of his children in a Derby council house fire last May has said he was not responsible for the blaze.

Mick Philpott told Nottingham Crown Court that his family had been receiving death threats since appearing on the Jeremy Kyle show in 2007.

The 56-year-old, his wife Mairead, 31, and Paul Mosley, 46, all stand accused of starting the blaze in an attempt to frame Mr Philpott's former mistress.

Lisa Willis, 29, had lived with the Philpotts but had moved out and was locked in a custody battle with Mr Philpott over their four children at the time of the fire.

Mr Philpott told the court that Ms Willis' sister, Amanda Cousins, had made threats to kill his family, and that his wife had received silent phone calls in the weeks before the blaze.

He said he regretted appearing on Jeremy Kyle and that it had led to his children being bullied.

When asked by his defence lawyer, Anthony Orchard QC, if he started the fire, he replied "no".

He was then asked if had any suspicions as to who did, to which he replied "I do".

He also denied witness claims that he alluded to starting fires and petrol in the period before the blaze.

The fire of May 11 2012 claimed the lives of six of Mr and Mrs Philpotts' children.

Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, Jayden, five, were killed at the scene, whilst Duwayne, 13, later died in Birmingham Children’s Hospital as a result of his injuries.

The property on Victory Road in Allerton is managed by Derby Homes, Derby City Council's ALMO.

The trial continues.