Dad who killed six children in a horror blaze bashed in jail

A father-of-17 currently serving life for setting fire to his family home and killing six of his kids has become a “target” in prison.

A British father who killed six children in a horror blaze at the family home has been reportedly left “battered and bruised” in a brutal jail beating.

Mick Philpott was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 for starting the fire that killed his six children in a horrific revenge plot against his former lover.

His wife Mairead, then 32, was given 17 years in prison for conspiring with her husband while their friend Paul Mosley – who helped start the blaze in which the children perished – was also jailed for 17 years.

Now, 68, Philpott, has reportedly been attacked by another prisoner wielding a weapon in a vicious ambush, The Sun reports.

Philpott, was left with bruises and lumps on his head after the inmate battered him with a metal container at the tough prison in Wakefield, West Yorks.

Mick Philpott, who is currently serving life for starting a fire that killed six of his children, has reportedly been bashed in prison. Picture: Supplied

“Philpott was in a bad way after the attack – battered and bruised and with two large and noticeable lumps on the back of his head,” a source told the publication.

“The other lad pounced on him and whacked him quite a few times from behind.

“It was one bloke on his own – someone quite a bit younger than Philpott and it happened really quickly on the landing.”

Describing the scenes inside the prison as a “huge commotion”, the scuffle was eventually broken up after an alarm was triggered and guards rushed in to help.

“It could have been a lot worse for Philpott,” the source said.

“Philpott was feeling very sorry for himself after the attack – but no-one had much sympathy.

“That is reserved for the children he killed.

“He was in a bad way but they were able to treat him in the prison rather than take him to hospital.

“That is the last thing bosses would have wanted because he is so notorious and would have attracted attention.

“But now they have increased security around Philpott and they are making a lot more checks on him.”

Philpott and his wife Mairead conspired to frame an ex-lover he was having a custody battle with and emerge a hero by rescuing the trapped children. Picture: Supplied

According to the inmate, the attacker “wanted to make a name for himself” and had taken aim at Philpott because he “is an obvious target because of who he is”.

“He used a weapon which was a container or flask and quite heavy, so if Philpott had taken a few more blows he could have been in trouble,” the source continued.

“He is the lowest of the low, even in prison, so has always got a target on his back.

“But this is the worst problem he has had since he was jailed.

“People were laughing about the attack after it happened.

“He’s a child killer at the end of the day so no-one felt sorry for him.”

But the plan backfired when the blaze erupted into a fire ball, killing six of his children in the home. Picture: Supplied

Philpott, a jobless dad-of-17 was already “notorious as a benefits layabout” when he was jailed in April 2013 for the manslaughter of the children aged between five and 13.

He and his wife Mairead as well as their friend Paul Mosley gambled with the children’s lives by starting the blaze at the family’s three-bedroom semi in Derby in 2012.

Philpott planned to frame an ex-lover he was having a custody battle with and emerge a hero by rescuing the trapped children.

But the scheme – also aimed at getting a bigger house – went horribly as the blaze took hold, The Sun reports.

Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, Jayden, five, and Duwayne, 13, were overcome by smoke.

Philpott and Mairead thought they would be able to get their kids out of a back bedroom window as part of the disastrous plot.

But the house exploded in a fireball when they set fire to petrol in the hallway.

The father of 17 has been locked up since 2013, but was recently attacked in prison by another inmate. Picture: SuppRui Vieira/PA Images via Getty Images)

After a Nottingham Crown Court trial that horrified Britain, Philpott was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years. He is eligible for parole in 2027.

His wife and family friend Paul Mosley were also caged – but both have now been released.

Mairead was sent to live in a “cushy” bail hostel in November 2020 after serving half of her 17-year term.

Layabout Philpott had become notorious in the 2000s – appearing on TV shows – for fathering 17 children by five women and pocketing state benefits.

He was described as “disturbingly dangerous, with no moral compass” in court.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Violence will not be tolerated in the prison estate and anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will be punished.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Dad who killed six children in a horror blaze bashed in jail