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Derby fire deaths: Philpott blaze 'started with petrol' Philpott child fire deaths 'a plan that went horribly wrong'
(about 2 hours later)
A house fire which killed six children from the same family in Derby was started deliberately using petrol, a court has been told. A couple started a house fire which killed their six children in "a plan that went horribly wrong", a court has been told.
The children's parents Michael and Mairead Philpott, along with third defendant Paul Mosley, deny six counts of manslaughter. Michael and Mairead Philpott, along with third defendant Paul Mosley, deny six counts of manslaughter relating to the children aged between five and 13.
Richard Latham QC said the fire at Victory Road, Allenton, on 11 May, was a "plan that went horribly wrong". Richard Latham QC said the fire in Derby on 11 May was "no accident".
Five of the siblings died in the fire. The sixth child died three days later. He described the Philpotts' living arrangements which included Michael's mistress and a total of 11 children.
'Terrible tragedy' 'Changing wives'
Outlining the prosecution case, Mr Latham told Nottingham Crown Court: "On any view, the fire was no accident. Petrol was used to start the fire in the house." Jurors at Nottingham Crown Court heard Mr Philpott, 56, and his 31-year-old wife had previously lived in the family home with their six children and his mistress Lisa Willis, 28.
He told the jury of six men and six women: "This was a plan that went horribly wrong and ended in terrible tragedy." Ms Willis's five children - four fathered by Mr Philpott - had also lived at the three-bedroom semi-detached council house in Victory Road, Allenton.
The opening of the case could take more than a day and the trial as a whole is expected to last for about six weeks. Mrs Philpott slept in either the living room or the conservatory while Mr Philpott slept in a caravan outside with Ms Willis, jurors heard.
On Monday potential jurors were read the names of more than 100 witnesses who could be called to give evidence. Mr Latham, outlining the prosecution case at Nottingham Crown Court, said: "He often expressed the view he preferred his relationship with Lisa Willis to that he had with his wife Mairead.
Mr Philpott, 56, and Mrs Philpott, 31, both formerly of Victory Road, and Mr Mosley, 46, of Cecil Street, Derby, are all charged with six counts of manslaughter; one for each of the children. "He had spoken of divorcing Mairead - not separating from her but divorcing her - in order that he could make Lisa Willis his wife.
"He wanted to change their status but he wanted them both to still live in the house."
But Ms Willis had become unhappy with the relationship, Mr Latham said, and on 11 February she moved out after telling Mr Philpott she was taking her children swimming.
On the morning of the fire, three months later, Ms Willis and Mr Philpott had been due in court to discuss residency of the children.
'Total tragedy'
Mr Latham said the fire was started using petrol in the hallway of the house as the children slept.
Mr Latham told the jury of six men and women: "On any view, the fire was no accident. Petrol was used to start the fire in the house."
He added: "What is alleged is that these children died as a result of the unlawful acts of these defendants who, we say, were acting together in a joint enterprise, setting a house fire.
"We say that this was a plan that went horribly wrong and resulted in total tragedy."
Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight; Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, died at their home. Their brother Duwayne, 13, died in hospital.Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight; Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, died at their home. Their brother Duwayne, 13, died in hospital.
The opening of the case could take more than a day and the trial as a whole is expected to last for about six weeks.
Mr and Mrs Philpott, both formerly of Victory Road, and Mr Mosley, 46, of Cecil Street, Derby, are all charged with six counts of manslaughter; one for each of the children.