New plea for information over Derby house fire that killed six children

Several people have come forward with information since the parents of six children who died in a house fire appeared in court last week, police have said.

Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court alongside 45-year-old Paul Moseley, accused of murdering Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, Jayden, five, and 13-year-old Duwayne.

The couple have denied six counts of murder. Moseley is yet to enter a plea.

The children died after a fire engulfed their semi-detached home in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, on May 11.

Launching a fresh appeal for information today, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill, from Derbyshire Police, said: "Since the court appearances of Mick and Mairead Philpott and Paul Mosley last week, several people have come to us with information or doubts that have been nagging them during the last few months.

"I suspect there may still be other people with crucial information who have not yet come forward to speak to us.

"I would urge anyone who may have been holding back, not felt comfortable to voice their concerns or not had the confidence, to do so now. They have my personal reassurance that we will deal with their information sensitively."

The Philpotts and Moseley were remanded in custody at Nottingham Crown Court last Thursday. They are next due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on November 29.

PA