Mick and Mairead Philpott charged with murdering their six children

The parents of six children who died in a house fire in Derby have been charged with their murder, police confirmed last night.

Michael Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, will appear in court tomorrow accused of killing the children, who died after a blaze at a house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, on May 11.

Five of the children - four boys and a girl - died on the day of the fire. Their 13-year-old brother died the following day.

Family tragedy: Mick Philpott and his wife Mairead are charged with murdering six of their children

Philpott, 55, and his 31-year-old wife were arrested yesterday morning. Five days after the fire they appeared at a press conference where they cried as they thanked those who tried to save their children.

The couple are due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in Derby tomorrow morning.

The charges were confirmed tonight by Derbyshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

A CPS spokesman said: 'The evidence was reviewed by a Crown Advocate from the CPS East Midlands Complex Casework Unit, who decided that there was sufficient evidence to charge and that it is in the public interest for a prosecution to take place.

'It is important to note that the defendants are entitled to a fair trial and nothing should be said or reported that would prejudice that right.'

The charges follow a recent appeal for information by Derbyshire Police.

Read More