A child killer is ‘refusing to leave his cell’ at prison where Ian Watkins was killed as he fears he’ll be next. Mick Philpott is said to be “cowering” in his cell at Wakefield Prison, dubbed Monster Mansion, over fears he could be the next inmate targeted after the brutal killing of paedophile rocker Ian Watkins.
Philpott, 69, who was jailed for life for killing six of his children in a house fire in 2012, is reportedly refusing to leave his cell and only moves under escort from prison officers. Sources claim the notorious inmate believes he could fall victim to a copycat attack following the death of Watkins earlier this month.
A prison insider told The Sun: “Philpott has been attacked before in Wakefield and fears he will be next. He is basically refusing to leave his cell and is not going to communal areas where he could be targeted.
“He’s cowering away and has been heard saying he’s worried he’ll be next.”
Watkins, the disgraced Lostprophets singer, was stabbed in the neck and killed during a violent assault at the Category A facility on October 11. Two inmates have since been charged with murder.
Wakefield Prison is home to some of Britain’s most notorious criminals, including child killers Roy Whiting and Sidney Cooke, and staff are said to be on high alert amid fears of further attacks on high-profile inmates.
The source added: “Copycat attacks are common in jails. Inmates could try to emulate what Watkins’ killers did, and Philpott worries they’ll go for him because of his notoriety and because his crimes were against children.”
Philpott has reportedly been assaulted several times during his sentence. Earlier this year, he was beaten with a metal container by another inmate, leaving him “battered and bruised” and in need of treatment on the prison’s hospital wing.
The killer was jailed in 2013 for the manslaughter of six of his children, aged between five and 13, after setting fire to his home in Derby.
Philpott, his then-wife Mairead, and friend Paul Mosley had planned to frame his ex-lover in a twisted attempt to gain custody of more children and a bigger council house. The blaze, however, spiralled out of control, killing the youngsters trapped inside.
Described in court as “disturbingly dangerous” and “without moral compass”, the unemployed father of 17 was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years. He will be eligible for parole in 2027. Mairead Philpott and Mosley were also jailed but have since been released.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service said: “There’s no evidence to suggest there is a threat to this prisoner. Cell searches are common and a vital tool in maintaining security in prisons.”