Derby House Fire Parents Mick Philpott And Wife Mairead Face Trial In January 2013

Derby House Fire Trial To Start Next Year

The parents of six children killed in a house fire will go on trial for their murder next year.

At a preliminary hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, who was caressing a crucifix on a long chain worn around her neck, were told they will go on trial next January.

The couple are charged with murder following a blaze at their home on Victory Road in Allenton, Derby, on 11 May.

Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, all died in the fire. Duwayne, 13, died in Birmingham Children's Hospital two days later.

All six Philpott children died

There was a packed public gallery for the short hearing but no outbursts like at the couple's two previous court appearances.

Mrs Philpott, who wore a beige knitted jumper, could be seen to kiss a crucifix she was wearing around her neck while Mr Philpott, who wore a purple jumper, black tracksuit bottoms and a St Christopher, stared straight ahead in the dock.

The judge, the Honourable Mr Justice Charles Haddon-Cave, told them they would go on trial for murder on 14 January next year.

No applications for bail were made. The couple were remanded into custody to next appear for a plea and case management hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 5 November.

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