Now 'sleepover killer', 31, is charged with raping girlfriend's daughter, 11, before 'killing her, her mother, brother, 13, and best friend who was staying with them for the night'
- Damien Bendall, 31, is alleged to have raped and murdered Lacey Bennett, 11
- Accused of killing her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother Terri Harris, 35
- Charges come after four bodies were discovered at a house in Killamarsh
A man charged with murdering his girlfriend, her son and daughter and one of their best friends at a sleepover has today been charged with a further count of raping one of the children.
Damien Bendall, 31, is now alleged to have raped and murdered 11-year-old Lacey Bennett, as well as being accused of killing her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11.
The charges come after four bodies were discovered at a house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, on September 19.
Bendall was due before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday for a plea hearing, but the case was adjourned to January 4 at the crown court in Derby.
The murder charges allege he killed all four on a day between Friday September 17 and Monday September 20.
Damien Bendall, 31, was due before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday for a plea hearing, but the case was adjourned to January 4 at the crown court in Derby
John, 13, and Lacey, 11, found in the house alongside their mother Terri Harris in the property
Two children John (left), 13, and Lacey, 11 (right) were found dead in the house alongside Ms Harris and Connie Gent, 11
Connie Gent, 11, was at a sleepover the night before she was found dead alongside friend Lacey, John and Terri Harris
An inquest opening at Chesterfield Coroner's Court previously heard the four died as a result of a 'violent attack'.
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The coroner's court also heard how a relative of Bendall had phoned police to say the defendant had suffered a self-inflicted stab wound.
In a statement, the CPS said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a further charge for Damien Bendall, 31, after reviewing a file of evidence from Derbyshire Police. He has now been charged with rape of a girl under 13.
Lacey Bennett with her brother John Paul Bennett and their mother Terri Harris
Connie Gent (right) with her friend Lacey Bennett. An inquest opening at Chesterfield Coroner's Court previously heard the four died as a result of a 'violent attack'
Bendall is now alleged to have raped and murdered 11-year-old Lacey Bennett, as well as being accused of killing her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11
The four children and adult were found dead in Killamarsh, which is near Sheffield but over the county border in Derbyshire
Jason Bennett, the father of the two children who were found in the house, paid tribute to them in a number of online posts
John is affectionately called Mr Bennett's 'mini me' in footage of him enjoying himself and Lacey on a playground roundabout
'Mr Bendall was previously charged with four counts of murder in relation to an incident in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
'The additional charge was today confirmed to the court at a hearing held at Nottingham Crown Court.
'All are reminded that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
