A man who murdered his pregnant partner, her two children, and another child with a claw hammer has been sentenced to a whole-life prison term. Damien Bendall, 32, pleaded guilty to the murders at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday.
The victims were Terri Harris, 35, her son John Bennett, 13, daughter Lacey Bennett, 11, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, also 11. The killings took place on 18 September 2021 at a house in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
Prosecutor Louis Mably KC told the court that Bendall attacked the victims with a claw hammer, hitting them on the head and upper body. He also raped Lacey and used a ligature around her neck. Bendall was under the influence of cocaine and cannabis at the time.
After the murders, Bendall left the house, taking John's games console to sell for drugs. He later told police, 'I used a hammer. I did not realise what I did until I walked into my room and saw my missus and my daughter.' He also remarked, 'Bet you don't usually get four murders in Killamarsh do you? Well I mean five 'cause my missus was having a baby.'
Sentencing Bendall, Mr Justice Sweeney said: 'As the prosecution have said, you carried out vicious, brutal and cruel attacks on a defenceless woman and three young children, during which you went around the house attacking them.' The whole-life order means Bendall will never be released except in exceptional compassionate circumstances.
Victim impact statements from relatives were read in court. Terri's mother, Angela Smith, said: 'Terri, Lacey and John meant the world to me... Not being able to give them a kiss and a hug and tell them I love them breaks my heart.' Jason Bennett, father of John and Lacey, said their murders had 'destroyed and taken my life away'.
