Man, 32, appears in court charged with raping and murdering his girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter

By Samantha Allen

Published: April 22, 2022 | 10:42 PM GMT

A 32-year-old man accused of murdering a mother and three children has appeared before a Crown Court judge for a pre-trial hearing.

Damien Bendall is alleged to have raped and murdered 11-year-old Lacey Bennett, and is accused of unlawfully killing her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11.

Bendall was remanded in custody at Derby Crown Court on Friday after being told his trial would now start on May 9, not May 4 as previously planned.

He was not required to enter any pleas to the charges during his appearance before Judge Nirmal Shant QC.

The murder charges allege Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, unlawfully killed all four victims on a day between Friday September 17 and Monday September 20.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.