Man admits murdering woman and three children in Killamarsh
Damien Bendall, 31, pleaded guilty at Derby Crown Court
Last updated 21st Dec 2022
A man has admitted the murders of a mum and three children in Killamarsh in September 2021.
Damien Bendall killed siblings 11-year-old Lacey Bennett, and 13-year-old John Paul Bennett, as well as their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend 11-year-old Connie Gent.
31-year-old Bendall had previously admitted the manslaughter of all four but had not pleaded guilty to murder.
Louis Mably KC, prosecuting, told Derby Crown Court: "The circumstances of these offences are truly hideous and dreadful.
"These were brutal, vicious and cruel attacks on a defenceless woman and three young children."
Mr Mably KC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Sweeney the Crown would be seeking a whole life term for Bendall, given the gravity of the offences.
He said: "In view of all this, the prosecution's submission as to sentence is that the seriousness of the offending is so exceptionally high, it falls into the category of case that calls for the imposition of a whole life order, rather than a minimum term."
Bendall is expected to be sentenced later on Wednesday.
What happened in Killamarsh?
The bodies of the four victims were found at a house on Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield on 19th September 2021.
An inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court previously heard they died as a result of a "violent attack".
The court also heard how a relative of Bendall had phoned police to say the defendant had suffered a self-inflicted stab wound.
All three children were students at Outwood Academy City in Sheffield.
Connie Gent had been on a sleepover when the attack happened.
Her dad Charlie Gent previously told us that life without her is 'almost unbearable':
"She's been my best friend and she was my biggest fan.
"Every single moment I spent with my daughter was a special moment.
"I don't think you realise how special those moments are until something as tragic as this happens, so spend all the time you possibly can with your kids.
"It's going to be so hard to think of her not growing up. I wanted the world to know who Connie was. She's my angel.”