British couple to be sentenced for starting fire that killed 6 of their children

In this May 16, 2012 file photo, Mick Philpott, right, and wife Mairead react during a news conference at Derby Conference Centre following a fire at their home which claimed the lives of six of his children, Derby, England. A jury found Mick and Mairead Philpott guilty of the killing of their six children, aged 5 to 13, in a house fire in Derby, central England, in May 2012. Paul Mosley, a friend of the couple, was also convicted of manslaughter Tuesday April 2 2013. (AP/PA/File)

LONDON – A British couple are facing long jail terms for starting a fire that killed six of their children, in what prosecutors say was an attention-grabbing stunt gone tragically wrong.

Mick and Mairead Philpott have been convicted of manslaughter over the May 2012 fire in Derby, central England.

The deaths of the children, aged 5 to 13, and the twisting saga that ensued have horrified and fascinated Britain.

Prosecutors said the couple hatched a plan to start the gasoline-fueled fire and then rescue the children, pinning blame on Mick Philpott's former mistress.

The trial exposed details of an unorthodox life in which Mick Philpott — who had 17 children with five women — lived with both his wife and girlfriend in a small house.

The couple will be sentenced Wednesday.