Killamarsh murders: Damien Bendall's murder trial over death of mother and three children postponed

The trial of a man accused of murdering a mother and three children has been postponed.
Damien Bendall is accused of murdering Terri Harris (top left), her son John Paul Bennett (top right), her daughter Lacey Bennett (bottom right) and Lacey's friend Connie Gent (bottom left)Damien Bendall is accused of murdering Terri Harris (top left), her son John Paul Bennett (top right), her daughter Lacey Bennett (bottom right) and Lacey's friend Connie Gent (bottom left)
Damien Bendall is accused of murdering Terri Harris (top left), her son John Paul Bennett (top right), her daughter Lacey Bennett (bottom right) and Lacey's friend Connie Gent (bottom left)

Damien Bendall, 32, is alleged to have raped and murdered 11-year-old Lacey Bennett, and killed her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and friend Connie Gent, 11.

The four victims were discovered dead at a house in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield, on September 19 last year.

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

Artist's impression of Damien Bendall appearing via video link at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court.Artist's impression of Damien Bendall appearing via video link at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court.
Artist's impression of Damien Bendall appearing via video link at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court.

Bendall had been due to face trial on Monday May 9 at Derby Crown Court.

But at a hearing before Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey on Thursday, that date was broken.

The defendant appeared by video-link from custody at Wakefield prison.

Mr Justice Sweeney set another hearing for May 26 at the Old Bailey.

He identified a potential new trial date in Derby from October 4, to be confirmed later.

Bendall was further remanded into custody.