Killer mum Mairead Philpott has enjoyed a shopping trip with friends as she 'eases back into the community' following her release from prison.
The 39-year-old was spotted bundling bags of goodies and wrapping paper into the back of a waiting car as she left the bail hostel where she lives.
Evil Philpott was released from prison in December after serving half of her 17-year manslaughter jail term for killing her six children who died in a blaze at their family home in 2012.
Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and five-year-old Jayden all died in the fire in Derbyshire on the morning of May 11.
Philpott has ditched her flame-haired hair do for a raven shade and was joined by two friend at the female-only hostel on Monday.
A source told The Sun : "She is being eased back into life in the community.
"If she continues to comply with her probation requirements she will be able to slip back into life somewhere largely undetected.
"She's very much hoping for a fresh start."
Philpott has been living in the hostel in the South of England since she was released from HMP Send in Surrey.
She spent Christmas in the hostel playing bingo, tucking into a three-course donated meal and gifts, and snacking on free crisps and chocolates.
Previous reports say Philpott will stay in the hostel for up to 12 weeks while she waits for a permanent home.
Reports also claim she is on benefits of more than £400 a month and has her rent paid.
Philpott and her husband Mick became reviled figures after they sobbed at a news conference five days after the blaze that killed the kids - appealing for help before it emerged they had plotted the fire.
Jade, John, Jack, Jesse and Jayden were asleep upstairs and all died at the scene at their Osmaston home.
Neighbours had made brave attempts to save the youngsters.
Their 13-year-old half-brother Duwayne Philpott died in hospital two days later.
The Philpotts appeared at a news conference five days after the blaze, in which they both sobbed, while Mick expressed disbelief at the deaths and thanked fire crews.
But their couple's strange behaviour raised suspicion and police bugged the hotel room they were given after their fire.
The operation revealed that Mick was the brains behind the arson.
The ex had been lived in the same overcrowded house as him and Mairead before she left him weeks earlier and taken her children with her.
Mick was angry and hell bent on revenge so thought up the blaze.
The Philpotts, along with their friend Paul Mosley, were later found guilty of the manslaughter of the six children.
The couple had taken part in a sordid threesome with Mosley before the fire.
Mick was jailed for life in 2013, for starting the fire at their family home.
He must serve at least 15 years behind bars before being considered for parole.
Mick and Mairead divorced while behind bars.
