A MOTHER and father have been charged with murdering their six children, who died after a fire at their home.
Mick Philpott and his wife Mairead will appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court this morning, a spokesman for Derbyshire police said.
Jade Philpott (10) and brothers John (9), Jack (7), Jessie (6), and Jayden (5) all died in the blaze, in Victory Road, Allenton, on May 11th.
A sixth sibling, Duwayne (13), died of his injuries in Birmingham Children’s Hospital two days’ later.
Mr Philpott (55) and his 31-year-old wife were arrested on Tuesday morning. Five days after the fire at Victory Road, Allenton, which police have revealed was started with petrol, the couple had appeared at a press conference where they broke down as they thanked those who tried to save their children.
Speaking after the couple were charged, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill stressed that the police investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with information about the blaze to contact police.
He said: “Following the appeal yesterday a number of people have come forward with more information but I want to stress that the two charges this evening should not be ‘seen as the end of the investigation.
“We are determined to get to the truth of what happened and still want people to speak to us to tell us what they know about this tragedy.” – (PA)