Derby fire deaths: parents appear in court

The parents of six children killed in a fire at their home in Derby have appeared in court charged with murder.

Derbyshire Police arrested Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, on suspicion of murder on Tuesday.

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.”

Duwayne Philpott, 13, Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John Philpott, nine, Jack Philpott, seven, Jessie Philpott, six, and Jayden Philpott, five, all died as a result of the fire.

The fire broke out at the house, in Victory Road, Allenton, in the early hours of 11 May.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill 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.”

Police previously arrested a 38-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of murder shortly after the fire, but both were released without charge the following day.