Child killer not back in Derby
DERBYSHIRE police have confirmed that child killer Mairead Philpott has not returned to Derby following her release from prison last month.
The force’s Assistant Chief Constable Kem Mehmet has also moved to reassure the public that “there is a very low likelihood that (she) will be able to return to the city in the coming years.”
Mr Mehmet provided the update on Philpott, who was released after serving half of her sentence for the manslaughter of her six children in a fire, in response to a letter from Pauline Latham, the Conservative MP for Mid Derbyshire.
Mrs Latham wrote to the Attorney General and the Chief Constable of Derbyshire police seeking assurances that Philpott would not be permitted to return to the city.
In response, Mr Mehmet told her: “Mairead Philpott has not returned to the area and the risk she poses to the community will continue to be managed through established Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements where the police service, HM Prisons and other agencies will support the National Probation Service.
“Public sentiment is of great importance within the parameters of the legal framework in place. “Whilst the National Probation Service retain primacy, I would offer a level of reassurance that there is a very low likelihood that the individual will be able to return to the city of Derby in the coming years. “Were this to arise at any time before her sentence end date, this would be objectively and carefully considered by the Ministry of Justice and managed through the aforementioned arrangements.” Mrs Latham said: “I remain disgusted that this woman has her liberty while her daughter and five sons lie in their graves.
“I am dismayed that she served less than 18 months for taking the lives of each of those poor children. “But at least the people of Derby can remain in a sort of peace, knowing that they won’t have to face her in shops or on a street corner.”
Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers J John, nine, Jack, seven, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, died on the morning of the Victory Road, Allenton, blaze on May 11, 2012. Duwayne, the eldest, was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he died later.
Emergency services were called to the property in the early hours after Mairead made a frantic 999 call reporting a fire at the property.
She and her husband Mick were outside in the back garden while a number of neighbours had tried unsuccessfully to save the children.
During a seven week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, the prosecution said Mick Philpott was due in family court in Derby on the morning of the blaze to contest custody of five of his other children he had with another woman.
They said Philpott had hatched a plan to start a fire, rescue his children and frame a former mistress but that it had gone tragically wrong.
The court was told Philpott started the fire with friend Paul Mosley but that Mairead was aware of the plot.
The court was told Philpott lived on benefits but Mairead worked as a cleaner at London Road Hospital and he controlled all her finances.
In April 2013, after two days of deliberations the jury found the couple and Mosley guilty of six counts of manslaughter.
Philpott was jailed for life and told it would be 15 years before he would be eligible for parole. His wife and Mosley were sentenced to 17 years in prison.
At least people can remain in a sort of peace, knowing that they won’t have to face her in shops or on a street corner. Pauline Latham