Mairead Philpott loses appeal to reduce her 17 year sentence for killing her children

The mother who was jailed for 17 years for killing her six children in a house fire has lost her sec on appeal in a bid to shorten her sentence.

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by Closer staff |
Published on

32-year-old Mairead Philpott was found guilty of the manslaughter of Jade, John, Jack, Jesse, Jayden and Duwayne in April and sentenced to 17 years for her crimes.

Despite this, it is likely Mairead will only serve half of that time in prison.

Her husband, Mick Philpott, who was described as a 'disturbingly dangerous man' was given a life sentence with a minimum jail time of 15 years.

Together, the pair conspired to set fire to their home in order to frame Mick's former mistress. As has been widely reported, the fire ended up killing six of the couple's children who were all under 13 years of age.

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Thomas dismissed Mairead's lawyers claims that she could not stand up for herself, which was the basis for the appeal.

'This was not a spur of the moment plan' said Lord Thomas. 'The risks of pouring petrol inside a building must have been obvious. She participated in the setting of the fire as petrol was found on her clothes.'

He continued: 'She could make a choice. She had a responsibility that was no overborne by the will of Michael Philpott.'

The hearing was broadcast, the first outside of London to be so since new legislation was passed allowing Court of Appeal proceedings to be broadcast.

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