A LIVERPOOL man who gassed himself and his two young children was a community champion who raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities.
But neighbours said 52-year-old karate black belt Brian Philcox also had a “nasty streak” which “petrified” his estranged wife Evelyn, known as Lyn.
The former Speke comprehensive pupil was embroiled in a bitter break-up with his ex and was said to be terrified of losing the family home in Windmill Hill, Runcorn.
Only days ago he sent suspect packages to his former wife and her 19-year-old son Ryan from a previous relationship.
Philcox flipped ahead of Father’s Day driving seven-year-old daughter Amy and son Owen, three, to north Wales where they were found dead on Sunday afternoon in the back of his Land Rover.
He parked the 4X4 in a quiet country lane in Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley, and attached a hosepipe from the exhaust and through the rear window.
He then sat in the back with the children where they all died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Today neighbour Jeanette Otten said she the children’s mother Lyn, 38, was being consoled by relatives.
Mrs Otten, 50, said: “I don’t think it has sunk in yet for Lyn.
“ I only live two doors from her and she is a lovely person, a real people person who has time for everyone and who talks to anyone.
“Brian told Lyn he would do anything to keep the kids. Lyn let him see them when it was convenient but he had a really nasty streak in him.
“He frightened her and he was violent to Ryan. She was petrified of him but she had to follow the court order for access.
“Ryan is beating himself up about it. He shouldn’t do. But he blames himself.
“None of us can believe this has happened. I cried myself to sleep last night. It’s awful.”
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