The Crimes of Mick Philpott: A Tragic Tale of Manipulation, Arson and Murder
On the morning of 11 May 2012, a fire tore through a house at 18 Victory Road in Osmaston, Derby, claiming the lives of six children. In the days that followed, their father, Mick Philpott, stood before cameras, flanked by his wife Mairead, appearing to grieve for his lost children. But as the investigation rolled on, it became clear that this was not the tragic accident it first seemed—it was a cruel and calculated act by Philpott himself, aided by Mairead and their friend Paul Mosley.
A History of Violence and Control
Mick Philpott’s past was littered with disturbing incidents of violence and manipulation, particularly towards women. Born in December 1956, he had a long record of controlling behaviour. One of his most shocking early acts of violence came in 1978 when, at 21, he attempted to murder his 17-year-old girlfriend, Kim Hill. Their relationship had already been terrifying—he once shot her in the groin with a crossbow for wearing a dress he thought was too short and cracked her kneecap with a hammer for paying attention to a baby she was minding. When she finally tried to leave him, he attacked her in her sleep, stabbing her over a dozen times. Even her mother wasn’t spared when she tried to intervene. Miraculously, they both survived, and Philpott was sentenced to seven years in prison—though he ended up serving just over three.
His abusive behaviour didn’t stop there. After his release, he married Pamela Lomax and had three children with her, but his controlling nature made her desperate to escape. She got her wish when he moved on to a 14-year-old named Heather Kehoe. She ran away to live with him at 16, and they had two children, but he subjected her to violent beatings—especially when she failed to give him a daughter. She eventually left, gaining custody of their children in 2002.
Polygamy and Public Scrutiny
By 2000, Philpott had started a relationship with 19-year-old Mairead Duffy. She moved in, and they married in 2003. Around the same time, Philpott met Lisa Willis, a 16-year-old orphaned single mother, and convinced her to join their household. Both women lived under his control, raising a total of eleven children.
Philpott’s lifestyle—living on state benefits while his wife and mistress raised his children—drew public attention. He even went on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2006 to defend his choices, expressing his desire to marry one woman and divorce the other. In 2007, Ann Widdecombe spent a week with him for the ITV show Ann Widdecombe Versus, where she attempted to get him to take responsibility for his life. She even arranged jobs for him, but he never showed up. The show highlighted his lazy, self-serving personality, with Widdecombe observing that none of his children sought affection from him.
Mick Philpott's Road to Arson
By 2012, cracks were beginning to show. Lisa Willis had finally left, taking her children with her and seeking independence. This enraged Philpott, who was not only losing control over them but also the benefits he claimed on their behalf. The day before the fire, he had a custody hearing, which did not go in his favour.
His plan? Set fire to his own house and frame Lisa for it. He expected to come out looking like the hero, winning back custody and continuing to claim benefits for the children. But the plan went horribly wrong. The fire, started using petrol poured through the letterbox, spread far quicker than expected. Thick smoke filled the house, suffocating the Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, 9, Jack, 8, Jesse, 6, Jayden, 5, sleeping upstairs. Five died at the scene, while the eldest, 13 yr-old Duwayne, passed away in hospital two days later.
Press Conferences and Fake Tears
In the days after the fire, Philpott and Mairead held a press conference, putting on what they thought was a convincing show of grief. Mick was sobbing, Mairead sat meekly beside him, and they pleaded for answers. But something felt off.
Body language experts and psychologists were quick to note how unnatural Mick’s behaviour seemed. His sobs were exaggerated, his eyes remained dry, and his pauses felt staged. Observers also noted how Mairead barely spoke, seemingly following his lead. Instead of evoking sympathy, their performance aroused suspicion.
How They Were Caught
Philpott’s behaviour after the fire raised eyebrows. Friends and neighbours commented on his strange demeanour, and the police began to take a closer look. Sensing that something was amiss, investigators took the unusual step of bugging the Philpotts’ hotel room, where they had been housed following the fire. What they caught on tape was damning.
Conversations between Mick, Mairead, and Paul Mosley revealed inconsistencies in their stories. At one point, Mairead was even caught engaging in a sex act with Mosley while discussing the case, confirming their lack of remorse. Then there was the forensic evidence—petrol traces were found inside the letterbox and on the clothes of Mick, Mairead, and Mosley. A discarded petrol container and glove were also found nearby, linking them directly to the crime.
Trial and Sentencing
The trial began on 12 February 2013 at Nottingham Crown Court. The prosecution painted a picture of Philpott as a manipulative and selfish man, driven by a need to control those around him. The jury heard about his past violence, his coercion of women, and his utter disregard for his children’s safety.
On 2 April, the verdict was in—guilty of manslaughter. The following day, Mrs Justice Thirlwall handed down the sentences. Mick Philpott received life imprisonment with a minimum of fifteen years, while Mairead and Mosley each received seventeen years, with a requirement to serve at least half. Mrs Justice Kate Thirlwall also said he was a "disturbingly dangerous man" with "no moral compass", adding:
"Your guiding principle is what Mick Philpott wants, Mick Philpott gets."
Philpott looked down at the floor as the judge handed down the life term.
He showed little emotion until his wife Mairead, 32, was also sentenced over their children's deaths.
He then wiped tears from his eyes and she wept as she was jailed for 17 years and was told she would serve half of that.
After sentencing, family members in the public gallery applauded. One shouted: "Die, Mick, die", while another said: "See you, Mairead. Hope you enjoy life on your own". A third person called out: "Your own babies".
In response, Philpott smiled and stuck two fingers up to the public gallery - as he was led from the dock.
Aftermath
Mairead later attempted to appeal her sentence, claiming she had been under Mick’s control. The court wasn’t convinced, and the appeal was rejected. However, she was released on licence in 2020 after serving eight and a half years.
The case sparked debates about the welfare system and its role in enabling people like Philpott to live off benefits while refusing to work. More importantly, it highlighted the devastating impact of domestic abuse and psychological manipulation. The tragedy of Victory Road serves as a chilling reminder of what happens when unchecked control and coercion turn deadly.
Mick Philpott remains in prison, but the horror of his actions lingers. The six innocent children who lost their lives in the fire remain at the heart of this tragedy—victims of a man who saw them as nothing more than a means to an end.
