Damien Bendall appears in dock for first time accused of Killamarsh murders, near Sheffield
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Damien Bendall, aged 31, is alleged to have 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.
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Hide AdThis morning Bendall was produced in person at Derby Crown Court where he was not required to enter any pleas to the charges that he is facing.
Dressed in a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans, wearing a white face mask, the defendant was surrounded by five dock officers during the short hearing in the courtroom.
The murder charges allege that he killed all four on a day which was between Friday, September 17 and Monday, September 20.
An inquest opening at Chesterfield Coroner's Court previously heard that the four died as a result of a “violent attack”.
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Hide AdThe coroner's court also heard how a relative of Bendall had phoned police to say that the defendant had suffered a self-inflicted stab wound.
The defendant is due to stand trial on March 1 this year.
Judge Nirmal Shant QC remanded Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, back into custody.
He is next due to appear at the same court for a plea hearing on January 18.
Terri, the woman he is accused of killing, had recently moved to Killamarsh with her children from Woodhouse in Sheffield.
Connie still lived in Woodhouse.