Parents in court over Derby house fire

The parents of six children killed in a house fire appeared in court today charged with their murders.

Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, appeared at Derby Magistrates' Court charged with murder following the blaze at the house on Victory Road in Allenton, Derby, on May 11.

Their children Jade, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, all died in the fire, and a sixth sibling Duwayne, 13, died of his injuries in Birmingham Children's Hospital two days later.

A man and a woman had to be escorted from the court by police and court officials after shouting out "scum" and "bastards" during the 10-minute hearing.

The Philpotts, who showed no emotion as they stood in the dock, were remanded into custody.

They will appear at Nottingham Crown Court tomorrow.

PA