Man charged with sleepover murders
A MAN appeared in court yesterday accused of murdering his lover, her two children and their friend on a sleepover.
Damien Bendall, 31, allegedly killed Lacey Bennett, 11, her brother John Paul, 13, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11, on Sunday.
He is also accused of murdering partner Terri Harris, 35, mother of Lacey and John Paul, at the semi-detached house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
Yesterday Bendall appeared via video link at Southern Derbyshire magistrates’ court charged with the four murders.
Shaven-headed Bendall appeared on the screen sitting on a chair and wearing a grey sweater and jogging bottoms.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a four-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea. Bendall was remanded in custody by Deputy District Judge Gary Garland until tomorrow – when he will appear at Derby Crown Court.
Grief
Derbyshire police said the four bodies were found after police responded to a call about concerns for the safety of a man at the address at 7.26am.
Lacey’s friend Connie, from Sheffield, was on a sleepover.
On Monday, Lacey and John Paul’s dad Jason Bennett wept as he laid flowers close to the home where they were found dead. He addressed a floral tribute to his “TikTok queen” Lacey, saying he was “lost without you”.
A note read: “Look after your big brother and don’t wind him up.” Jason also left a note at the house for John, reading: “My beautiful son, keep your kind heart shining while the angels are looking after you for me.”
Connie’s dad Charlie Gent paid tribute to his daughter: “My Baby Girl whhhhyyy”.
He also urged parents to spend as much time with their children
as possible and said his world had been taken away.
Charlie added: “My little girl has gone I can’t even put into words or even how 2 feel or react rite now shouldn’t even be writing this.
“Now have 2 live with the fact I was helpless 2 protect her as u always promised n she’s gone. Fly safe baby girl I love you with all my heart n always will. Gonna miss u like crazy”.
The deaths have provoked an outpouring of grief.
Outwood Academy City, in Sheffield, where the three children studied, said their memories would “live on forever”. It said: “The children had bright futures ahead of them but sadly none of us will get to see this.”
Around 300 mourners headed to a nearby play area on Monday for a vigil to the victims.
A GoFundMe page for families of the victims has raised more than £22,500. It was set up by friend Cassie Perry to help the two mourning families pay for funerals and memorials.