Derby fire: Parents deny murders

The parents of six children who died when a fire ripped through their home wept in court today as they pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder.

Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court charged with murdering Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, Jayden, five, and 13-year-old Duwayne.

The children died after the blaze engulfed their semi-detached house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, on May 11.

Philpott, wearing a St Christopher, broke down in tears and held his head in his hands as he entered his plea to each of the six charges.

His wife, wearing a cross on a long chain around her neck, was more composed as she also pleaded not guilty, but became tearful during the hour-long hearing.

A second man, who was charged with the six murders on Monday by Derbyshire Police, also appeared in the dock.

Grey-haired Paul Mosley, 45, of Cecil Street, Derby, did not speak during the hearing and stared straight ahead.

The three were flanked by 11 prison officers in the dock, with a line of five sitting behind the couple, separating them from Mosley.

The Honourable Mrs Justice Kate Thirlwall remanded the three into custody. They will appear next at Birmingham Crown Court at 2pm on November 29.

PA