Mom, 10-year-old son killed in arson atack by dad; boy also had "serious head injuries" (Cornwall, England, United Kingdom)

The evidence suggests that dad HAROLD PHILPOTTS assaulted the 10-year-old son (who had evidence of serious head injuries) before an arson attack on the home that killed the boy and his mother. Dad later died from his burns at a hospital. Mental illness is blamed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/8481500.stm

Page last updated at 16:55 GMT, Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Boy killed in Newquay house fire had head injuries

A 10-year-old boy who died with his mother after a suspected arson attack by his father had suffered serious head injuries, police have said.

Ben Philpotts died in hospital a few hours after the fire in Trevarrian, near Newquay, on 18 January. His mother Patricia, 44, died in the fire.

Ben's father Harold Philpotts, 47, who was the prime suspect, suffered serious burns in the fire and died in hospital.

Cornwall's mental health authority said Mr Philpotts was known to them.

'Tragic fire'

Det Insp Stuart Ellis, senior investigator for the case, said: "Initial investigations at the scene and the post mortem indicate that Ben suffered a serious head injury during the incident."

He said a serious case review was being discussed by the police, health officials and the local authority.

The chief executive of the Cornwall Partnership Trust, which provides mental health services, said she was "deeply saddened" by the "tragic fire".

Lezli Boswell said Mr Philpotts was known to the trust and her thoughts and condolences were with the families involved.

Mr Philpotts died in the early hours of Tuesday at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

No-one else is being sought over the deaths.