Killamarsh: Man charged with raping and murdering 11-year-old girl at sleepover
26 November 2021, 14:30 | Updated: 26 November 2021, 15:07
A man accused of murdering a mother and three children has been further charged with raping one of the children.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Damien Bendall, 31, has been charged with raping a girl under the age of 13 after the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed a file of evidence on the "violent attack".
It is alleged that Bendall 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 Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on September 19 this year.
Bendall was due before Nottingham Crown Court on today for a plea hearing, but the case was adjourned to January 4 at the crown court in Derby.
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.
Read more: Man charged with murders of three children and woman found dead after sleepover
Read more: Girl, 12, dies of ‘catastrophic injuries’ after attack in Liverpool city centre
Mourners hold vigil for Killamarsh victims
"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.
Read more: Health Sec: New Covid variant of 'huge international concern'
Read more: Living in Syria 'scarier' than risking life in Channel: LBC speaks to migrants in Calais
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
The murder charges allege he killed all four on a day between Friday September 17 and Monday September 20.
An inquest opening at Chesterfield Coroner's Court previously heard the four died as a result of a "violent attack".
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.
