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Quadruple killer admits murdering woman, 3 children and raping girl as she lay dying
Damien Bendall admits murdering Terri Harris and her children Lacey and John Bennett, as well as Lacey’s friend Connie Gent
www.independent.co.uk
Throw this feral animal away
Damien Bendall admits murdering Terri Harris and her children Lacey and John Bennett, as well as Lacey’s friend Connie Gent
Zoe Tidman12 minutes ago
( Derbyshire Police)
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A quadruple killer has pleaded guilty to the murder of a woman, her two children and one of their 11-year-old friends.
Damien Bendall also admitted a separate charge of raping a child.
Terri Harris, a 35-year-old mother, was found dead at a house in Derbyshire with her 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett, her 13-year-old son John Paul Bennett and Lacey’s 11-year-old friend Connie Gent on 19 September last year.
Prosecuting KC Louis Mably KC told the court were “brutal, vicious and cruel attacks on a defenceless woman” and young children at the house in Killamarsh.
It is thought Connie was staying at the house where her friend Lacey lived with her brother, mother and Mr Bendall, for a sleepover.
Mr Bendall of Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in relation to their deaths.
Connie Gent died in the incident (Derbyshire Police/PA)
(PA Media)
The 32-year-old partner of Ms Harris appeared at Derby Crown Court on murder charges, as well as separate charge of raping Lacey, on Wednesday.
He pleaded guilty to the murder of all four victims between 17 September and 20 September last year, as well as the rape of a child under the age of 13.
The court heard how “none of the victims stood a chance” and it appeared they were all attacked in different rooms at the property on Chandos Crescent where their bodies were found.
Lacey Bennett was found dead at the house in Killamarsh
(Derbyshire Police)
It was also told Mr Bendall raped Lacey as she “lay dying from the headwounds he had inflicted” with a hammer.
The court heard how text messages painted a picture of a “unharmonious and deteriorating” relationship between Ms Harris and Mr Bendall. This was perhaps linked to Mr Bendall’s drug use and “patterns of behaviour” showing interest in other women, it was told.
The prosecution said Connie went over for a sleepover on the Friday 17 September and asked her mother if she could spend a second night.
Damien Bendall appeared in court on murder charges and a separate rape charge
(SWNS)
The children spent the Saturday - the day of the attack - selling sweets outside the house to raise money for Cancer Research, it said.
The prosecution said the attacks happened just before the children went to bed or when they had just got into bed.
Police found the bodies in September last year after being called to the house over concerns for the safety of a man at the address.
Mr Bendall was taken to hospital for minor self-inflicted injuries before being taken into police custody.
Jason Bennett, Lacey and John’s father, said his life would “never be the same again” in a statement after their deaths.
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