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Child fire deaths: Michael Philpott 'hit mistress' Child fire deaths: Michael Philpott 'hit mistress'
(35 minutes later)
A father accused of starting a house fire which killed six of his children was violent towards his live-in mistress, a jury has been told.A father accused of starting a house fire which killed six of his children was violent towards his live-in mistress, a jury has been told.
Michael Philpott, along with wife Mairead, and friend Paul Mosley, deny the manslaughter of the six children in Derby on 11 May.Michael Philpott, along with wife Mairead, and friend Paul Mosley, deny the manslaughter of the six children in Derby on 11 May.
It is alleged they started the fire to frame Mr Philpott's former mistress Lisa Willis during a custody battle.It is alleged they started the fire to frame Mr Philpott's former mistress Lisa Willis during a custody battle.
Ms Willis said Mr Philpott hit her with a piece of wood in front of her child.Ms Willis said Mr Philpott hit her with a piece of wood in front of her child.
This incident had followed an argument over who fathered her first child, who was born before she started her relationship with Mr Philpott.This incident had followed an argument over who fathered her first child, who was born before she started her relationship with Mr Philpott.
'Shocked and disappointed''Shocked and disappointed'
Giving evidence behind a screen at Nottingham Crown Court, she said: "He hit me with a two by two piece of wood.Giving evidence behind a screen at Nottingham Crown Court, she said: "He hit me with a two by two piece of wood.
"He hit me on the leg, back and arms. He did it about ten times."He hit me on the leg, back and arms. He did it about ten times.
"I was shocked and disappointed.""I was shocked and disappointed."
The 29-year-old told the court she met Mr Philpott, now 56, when she was 17 and a single mother.The 29-year-old told the court she met Mr Philpott, now 56, when she was 17 and a single mother.
Ms Willis said she moved into the Derby home shortly afterwards and the pair started a sexual relationship, with the knowledge of his wife.Ms Willis said she moved into the Derby home shortly afterwards and the pair started a sexual relationship, with the knowledge of his wife.
Mr Philpott would take it in turns to spend the night with his wife and mistress, Ms Willis said.Mr Philpott would take it in turns to spend the night with his wife and mistress, Ms Willis said.
The three adults lived in the three-bedroom council house with 11 children.The three adults lived in the three-bedroom council house with 11 children.
Six children were those of Mr and Mrs Philpott and four were his children with Ms Willis. Another child was Ms Willis's with another man.Six children were those of Mr and Mrs Philpott and four were his children with Ms Willis. Another child was Ms Willis's with another man.
Ms Willis told the court all her income support, child benefits and wages from her part-time cleaning job were paid into Mr Philpott's bank account.Ms Willis told the court all her income support, child benefits and wages from her part-time cleaning job were paid into Mr Philpott's bank account.
"If I wanted to leave he would ask me where I was going, why, and how long for," she said."If I wanted to leave he would ask me where I was going, why, and how long for," she said.
He accused her of having several affairs, she said, and she remembered him throwing a cup of coffee over her.He accused her of having several affairs, she said, and she remembered him throwing a cup of coffee over her.
Jurors have heard that Ms Willis became unhappy with the relationship and moved out with her children three months before the fire.Jurors have heard that Ms Willis became unhappy with the relationship and moved out with her children three months before the fire.
On the morning of the fire Mr Philpott and Ms Willis had been due to attend a court hearing to discuss residency of the children.On the morning of the fire Mr Philpott and Ms Willis had been due to attend a court hearing to discuss residency of the children.
Jade, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, Jayden, five, and Duwayne, 13 - all perished after the fire which engulfed their home in Victory Road, Allenton, as they slept in their beds in the early hours of 11 May last year.
Mr Philpott and Mrs Philpott, 31, both formerly of Victory Road, and Mr Mosley, 46, of Cecil Street, all from Derby, are charged with six counts of manslaughter; one for each of the children.Mr Philpott and Mrs Philpott, 31, both formerly of Victory Road, and Mr Mosley, 46, of Cecil Street, all from Derby, are charged with six counts of manslaughter; one for each of the children.
The case continues.The case continues.