Quadruple murder suspect further charged with rape of child
DERBYSHIRE murder accused Damien Bendall has now also been charged with the rape of a child – one of those he is alleged to have killed, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed.
In a statement the CPS said that after reviewing further evidence from Derbyshire police, its lawyers authorised the extra charge of the rape of Lacey Bennett.
Bendall failed to appear on a video link into Nottingham Crown Court from prison yesterday morning, where he was expected to enter pleas to four counts of murder.
His barrister, Vanessa Marshall QC, said he was unwell.
In a statement, a CPS spokesperson 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.
“Mr Bendall was previously charged with four counts of murder in relation to an incident in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
“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.”
Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, has been charged with the murders of Terri Harris, John Paul Bennett, Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent, who all died on Sunday, September 19.
The deaths of 35-year-old Terri, her two children John Paul, 13, and Lacey, 11, as well as Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11, have shocked the nation and prompted an outpouring of grief in the community where they lived.
Hundreds of people attended a vigil for them on the evening after their deaths, while more than £20,000 was raised in their memory.
Bendall is next scheduled to appear at court in person on January 4.
A provisional trial date has been set to March 2022, and Judge Nirmal Shant QC remanded Bendall into prison custody.