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Portrait of Mick Philpott

Born in United Kingdom · Nationality British — crime / mafias / terrorism / criminal cases

Mick Philpott

Violent crime and serial killers

Documented profile covering 12 controversies, including “Serious Case Review: Deaths considered unforeseeable, but missed opportunities to understand family” and “Exploitation of donations and public sympathy after fire”.

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Profile No. 2380 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Mick Philpott
12Documented controversies
9Sources
4 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2014

Serious Case Review: Deaths considered unforeseeable, but missed opportunities to understand family

No legal proceedings

The safeguarding review conducted after the fire concluded that the six children's deaths could not reasonably have been predicted or prevented. It nevertheless identified opportunities for services to understand family dynamics and Mick Philpott's manipulative and controlling behaviour better.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Sky NewsPhilpott Fire Killings 'Could Not Be Predicted'MediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Evening StandardPhilpott deaths 'could not have been prevented', serious case review findsMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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Case · 4 documented stages

Exploitation of donations and public sympathy after fire

Conviction
02

2012–2013

Exploitation of donations and public sympathy after fire

Conviction

After the fire, while the community had raised money for the funerals, evidence presented before trial showed that Philpott sought to obtain remaining funds and wanted items left as tributes to be sold for his benefit. He also made public appearances in mourning despite his involvement in the plot.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick and Mairead Philpott convicted of manslaughter over Derby house fireMediaVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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03

2013-04

Life sentence with fifteen-year minimum term

Conviction

Following his conviction for six counts of manslaughter, Mick Philpott was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of fifteen years. The judge described the plan as 'wicked and dangerous' and emphasised his history of violence and control.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick Philpott jailed for life over Derby house fire that left six children deadMediaVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianMick Philpott jailed for life – judge's sentencing remarks in fullVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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06

2012-05

Arson conspiracy intended to frame Lisa Willis and secure return of children

Conviction

After his former partner Lisa Willis left with five children, Philpott devised a plan with Mairead Philpott and Paul Mosley to set fire to the house and rescue the children, intending to blame Willis and improve his position in the custody dispute. The fire went beyond their plan.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick and Mairead Philpott convicted of killing six children in twisted plot that went wrongMediaVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianMick Philpott jailed for life – judge's sentencing remarks in fullVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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07

2012-05-11

Deaths of six children in Victory Road fire

Conviction

The fire at the family home in Derby killed six children: Jade, John, Jack, Jesse, Jayden and Duwayne. Mick Philpott, Mairead Philpott and Paul Mosley were found guilty of manslaughter for starting the fire as part of the conspiracy.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick and Mairead Philpott convicted of manslaughter over Derby house fireMediaVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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04

années 1980–2012

Violence and coercive control in several intimate relationships, established at 2013 sentencing

Allegations

At sentencing in 2013, the judge described a longstanding pattern of violence, control and terror towards several partners. She noted that he even used his 1978 conviction to frighten women and keep them under his control.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick Philpott jailed for life – judge's sentencing remarks in fullVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianMick Philpott: the violent control freak who treated women as his slavesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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05

2011-11; plaidoyer 2012

Assault in road rage incident

Conviction

Philpott punched a motorist in the face during a road rage incident in November 2011. He pleaded guilty to common assault in May 2012.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ITV News CentralMick Philpott's previous convictions heard in court before sentencingMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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08

2010

Police caution following violence against Mairead Philpott

Case dismissed / dropped

In 2010, Philpott received a police caution after slapping his wife Mairead and dragging her out of the house by her hair.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ITV News CentralMick Philpott's previous convictions heard in court before sentencingMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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09

2006–2007

Media notoriety over large family, welfare benefits and request for larger home

No legal proceedings

Philpott gained national notoriety after publicly requesting a larger council house for his very large family and being presented in the press as a symbol of 'benefits culture'. In 2007, he appeared on the programme Ann Widdecombe Versus: The Benefits Culture.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ITV News CentralPhilpott trial timelineMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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10

1991

Conviction for actual bodily harm after headbutting colleague

Conviction

In 1991, Philpott was found guilty of actual bodily harm after headbutting a colleague in a bakery. He received a conditional discharge.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ITV News CentralMick Philpott's previous convictions heard in court before sentencingMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

11

années 1990

Relationship with Heather Kehoe begun when she was underage and testimony about violence

No legal proceedings

Philpott met Heather Kehoe when she was fourteen and he was 37; she moved in with him at sixteen. Kehoe subsequently described physical violence and extensive control during their relationship.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick Philpott: the violent control freak who treated women as his slavesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

12

1978

Attempted murder of Kim Hill and serious violence against her mother

Conviction

After his teenage girlfriend Kim Hill tried to end their relationship, Philpott entered her home and repeatedly stabbed her, then seriously injured her mother when she intervened. He was convicted of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMick and Mairead Philpott convicted of manslaughter over Derby house fireMediaVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianMick Philpott jailed for life – judge's sentencing remarks in fullVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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