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Father 'battered 10-year-old boy to death before killing wife in fire' Father 'battered 10-year-old boy to death before killing wife in fire'
(7 days later)
A father with a history of mental illness is believed to have battered his 10-year-old son with a sledgehammer as he lay in bed before starting a fire that claimed his own life and that of his estranged wife, an inquest has heard.A father with a history of mental illness is believed to have battered his 10-year-old son with a sledgehammer as he lay in bed before starting a fire that claimed his own life and that of his estranged wife, an inquest has heard.
Ben Philpotts and his mother Patricia were both pronounced dead on the morning of the fire at a bungalow in Newquay, Cornwall. The father and husband, Harold Philpotts, died in hospital eight days later when he suffered multiple organ failure.Ben Philpotts and his mother Patricia were both pronounced dead on the morning of the fire at a bungalow in Newquay, Cornwall. The father and husband, Harold Philpotts, died in hospital eight days later when he suffered multiple organ failure.
The inquest in Truro was told that Mr Philpotts had a history of hypochondria and had once had both himself and his son tested for HIV.The inquest in Truro was told that Mr Philpotts had a history of hypochondria and had once had both himself and his son tested for HIV.
He was unhappy because his relationship with Mrs Philpotts was breaking down and once said: "If I can't have my little family, no one can," it was claimed.He was unhappy because his relationship with Mrs Philpotts was breaking down and once said: "If I can't have my little family, no one can," it was claimed.
The inquest heard that Mrs Philpotts and Ben were living with her mother, Betty Bantock, 80, at the time of the tragedy in January 2010.The inquest heard that Mrs Philpotts and Ben were living with her mother, Betty Bantock, 80, at the time of the tragedy in January 2010.
Bantock described Mr Philpotts, 47, as a "Jekyll and Hyde character" who refused to take medication because he believed doctors were trying to kill him.Bantock described Mr Philpotts, 47, as a "Jekyll and Hyde character" who refused to take medication because he believed doctors were trying to kill him.
He had been staying with his family over the weekend before the fire and was unhappy at the prospect of having to return to his own flat that morning.He had been staying with his family over the weekend before the fire and was unhappy at the prospect of having to return to his own flat that morning.
Bantock said she heard a "terrific explosion", adding: "It was like a bomb going off, and then shattering of glass." She said Mr Philpotts came downstairs. "He walked straight past me. He didn't say anything to me," she said.Bantock said she heard a "terrific explosion", adding: "It was like a bomb going off, and then shattering of glass." She said Mr Philpotts came downstairs. "He walked straight past me. He didn't say anything to me," she said.
Mrs Philpotts's niece, Samantha Whitewood, who was in the bungalow at the time of the fire, described seeing Mr Philpotts emerge from the upstairs flat covered in soot and blood.Mrs Philpotts's niece, Samantha Whitewood, who was in the bungalow at the time of the fire, described seeing Mr Philpotts emerge from the upstairs flat covered in soot and blood.
She said: "I very quickly became aware of a big smashing sound. I could hear Pat screaming something like 'No!'She said: "I very quickly became aware of a big smashing sound. I could hear Pat screaming something like 'No!'
"I walked into the hallway and asked what was going on. I saw Harry coming down. He walked towards the kitchen and was covered in soot."I walked into the hallway and asked what was going on. I saw Harry coming down. He walked towards the kitchen and was covered in soot.
"He had the most terrified look on his face and an injury to his right arm. I said: 'What's happened?' He didn't speak, he just walked by.""He had the most terrified look on his face and an injury to his right arm. I said: 'What's happened?' He didn't speak, he just walked by."
She said she ran upstairs to be met by "thick smoke, lying like a blanket".She said she ran upstairs to be met by "thick smoke, lying like a blanket".
Whitewood told the court that her uncle was unhappy at the prospect of being separated from his wife and son following a breakdown in his relationship with Mrs Philpotts, 44.Whitewood told the court that her uncle was unhappy at the prospect of being separated from his wife and son following a breakdown in his relationship with Mrs Philpotts, 44.
The court heard two petrol cans were found in Mrs Philpotts's room where the fire is believed to have started and a sledgehammer was discovered in Ben's bed.The court heard two petrol cans were found in Mrs Philpotts's room where the fire is believed to have started and a sledgehammer was discovered in Ben's bed.
The forensic pathologist Russell Delaney said Mrs Philpotts was "alive and breathing" at the time the fire started but died as a result of the blaze.The forensic pathologist Russell Delaney said Mrs Philpotts was "alive and breathing" at the time the fire started but died as a result of the blaze.
Her son was killed by a combination of the effects of a severe blow or blows to the head and from breathing in smoke.Her son was killed by a combination of the effects of a severe blow or blows to the head and from breathing in smoke.
The former painter and decorator Mr Philpotts was arrested by police nearby around three hours after the blaze started, and died in Frenchay hospital in Bristol eight days later.The former painter and decorator Mr Philpotts was arrested by police nearby around three hours after the blaze started, and died in Frenchay hospital in Bristol eight days later.
The court heard Mr Philpotts began to get ill in 2007, and was sectioned the following year. He suffered from severe bouts of depression.The court heard Mr Philpotts began to get ill in 2007, and was sectioned the following year. He suffered from severe bouts of depression.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.
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