Derby death blaze: Defendants had sex on night of fire

Five of the children died in the Victory Road and the eldest died in hospital

One of the men accused of starting a fire which killed six children in Derby had sex with his co-accused hours before the blaze, a court has heard.

The jury in the trial of Mick and Mairead Philpott and friend Paul Mosley heard details of police interviews in the months after the fire last May.

Mr Mosley answered no comment to many questions but said he had no idea why he had petrol on his clothes.

All three deny six counts of manslaughter.

'Nothing to do with this'

The trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard from Det Con Maria Needs who read out transcripts of the interviews with Mr Mosley following the fire.

The father of two replied no comment to many questions but insisted he knew nothing about the blaze.

Reading out Mr Mosley's transcript, Det Con Needs said: "I swear on my kids' life, I have nothing to do with this."

The prosecution says the fire was started to frame Mr Philpott's former lover

During the same interview he admitted having sex with Mrs Philpott on the pool table in the three-bedroom semi where she lived with Mr Philpott, in Allenton, Derby, hours before it burnt down.

He was asked by DC Needs if he knew Mr Philpott was going to do something, he replied "no comment".

When challenged as to why he was "being so unhelpful" he said he was repeating no comment "because I don't know anything".

Filled his car

Also in police interview, Mr Mosley was asked why traces of petrol were found on his clothing.

He said he regularly filled his wife's car but had no idea if he had ever spilled any.

The prosecution claims the trio started the fire to frame Mr Philpott's ex-mistress in an attempt to get his children by her back.

Jade Philpott, 10, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, died in the blaze.

Their brother Duwayne, 13, died later in hospital.

The trial continues.