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| Man with history of mental illness unlawfully killed son, coroner rules | Man with history of mental illness unlawfully killed son, coroner rules |
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| A father with a history of mental illness unlawfully killed his 10-year-old son by bludgeoning him with a sledgehammer just before a fierce fire took hold of the family bungalow, a coroner has ruled. | A father with a history of mental illness unlawfully killed his 10-year-old son by bludgeoning him with a sledgehammer just before a fierce fire took hold of the family bungalow, a coroner has ruled. |
| Harold Philpotts was the prime suspect for the blaze, which claimed his life and that of his estranged wife, Patricia. But the Cornwall coroner, Emma Carlyon, recorded open verdicts on the pair because there was no conclusive evidence about how the fire began. | Harold Philpotts was the prime suspect for the blaze, which claimed his life and that of his estranged wife, Patricia. But the Cornwall coroner, Emma Carlyon, recorded open verdicts on the pair because there was no conclusive evidence about how the fire began. |
| The inquest in Truro was told that Philpotts battered his son Ben as he lay in bed at home in Newquay, north Cornwall. The boy was still breathing when the fire took hold but could not get out. | The inquest in Truro was told that Philpotts battered his son Ben as he lay in bed at home in Newquay, north Cornwall. The boy was still breathing when the fire took hold but could not get out. |
| Patricia Philpotts was pronounced dead from the effects of the fire on the morning of the blaze in January 2010. Her husband, who was badly burned, was arrested and told officers he should have died in the flames. He succumbed to multiple organ failure eight days later in hospital . | Patricia Philpotts was pronounced dead from the effects of the fire on the morning of the blaze in January 2010. Her husband, who was badly burned, was arrested and told officers he should have died in the flames. He succumbed to multiple organ failure eight days later in hospital . |
| Carlyon said there was circumstantial evidence that Philpotts had doused his wife's bedroom with accelerant but said she could not be sure how the fire began. | Carlyon said there was circumstantial evidence that Philpotts had doused his wife's bedroom with accelerant but said she could not be sure how the fire began. |
| The inquest heard that Philpotts had once been sectioned and was convinced that doctors and members of his family were plotting to kill him and refused to take medication for his condition. He travelled to various hospitals to get repeatedly tested for HIV following an affair and refused to believe medics when they told him he was clear. | The inquest heard that Philpotts had once been sectioned and was convinced that doctors and members of his family were plotting to kill him and refused to take medication for his condition. He travelled to various hospitals to get repeatedly tested for HIV following an affair and refused to believe medics when they told him he was clear. |
| He lived apart from his son and wife, and was unhappy because of the breakdown of his relationship. He once said: "If I can't have my little family, no one can." | He lived apart from his son and wife, and was unhappy because of the breakdown of his relationship. He once said: "If I can't have my little family, no one can." |
| A serious case review concluded that professionals involved with Philpotts did not always share information about him effectively. It also flagged up concerns that professionals focused "on the behaviour and needs of the father, without adequately considering potential impacts on the family as a whole and [Ben] in particular". | A serious case review concluded that professionals involved with Philpotts did not always share information about him effectively. It also flagged up concerns that professionals focused "on the behaviour and needs of the father, without adequately considering potential impacts on the family as a whole and [Ben] in particular". |
| But experts told the inquest that despite Philpotts's increasingly chaotic behaviour, there was no reason to section him again or believe he would pose a risk to his family. | But experts told the inquest that despite Philpotts's increasingly chaotic behaviour, there was no reason to section him again or believe he would pose a risk to his family. |
| Dr Anand Irpati, from the Cornwall mental health team, told the inquest Philpotts had a history of mental health issues. He said: "Mr Philpotts had delusional beliefs about HIV and conspiracy to kill him. It was considered he presented only a small risk to others … At the time of the deaths, there were no concerns for the safety of his wife and son." | Dr Anand Irpati, from the Cornwall mental health team, told the inquest Philpotts had a history of mental health issues. He said: "Mr Philpotts had delusional beliefs about HIV and conspiracy to kill him. It was considered he presented only a small risk to others … At the time of the deaths, there were no concerns for the safety of his wife and son." |
| The inquest heard Patricia Philpotts was living with her mother and Ben at the time of the tragedy. Her husband had been staying over the weekend and was unhappy on that Monday morning – his 47th birthday – about having to return to his own flat. | The inquest heard Patricia Philpotts was living with her mother and Ben at the time of the tragedy. Her husband had been staying over the weekend and was unhappy on that Monday morning – his 47th birthday – about having to return to his own flat. |
| Two petrol cans were found in Patricia Philpotts's room where the fire is believed to have started and a sledgehammer was discovered in Ben's bed. | Two petrol cans were found in Patricia Philpotts's room where the fire is believed to have started and a sledgehammer was discovered in Ben's bed. |
| When he was arrested, Philpotts had a cigarette lighter in his pocket and smelled of petrol. He was burnt and his face covered in soot. | When he was arrested, Philpotts had a cigarette lighter in his pocket and smelled of petrol. He was burnt and his face covered in soot. |
| He told police: "I should've died in the fire. I wanted to die," and added: "I am not a bad person. Why are you torturing me? You've tortured me for years. I love my family." While being treated in hospital he shouted: "What have I done? I love my family." | He told police: "I should've died in the fire. I wanted to die," and added: "I am not a bad person. Why are you torturing me? You've tortured me for years. I love my family." While being treated in hospital he shouted: "What have I done? I love my family." |
| Forensic pathologist Russell Delaney said Patricia Philpotts was "alive and breathing" at the time the fire started but died as a result of the blaze. | Forensic pathologist Russell Delaney said Patricia Philpotts was "alive and breathing" at the time the fire started but died as a result of the blaze. |
| Her son was killed by a combination of the effects of a severe blow or blows to the head and from breathing in smoke. | Her son was killed by a combination of the effects of a severe blow or blows to the head and from breathing in smoke. |
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