A Swindon man accused of murdering his girlfriend, her two children and a family friend has been charged with raping one of the young victims.
Damien Bendall, 31, is alleged to have killed Terri Harris, 35, her two children – Lacey, 11, and John, 13, – alongside Lacey’s friend 11-year-old Connie Gent in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
Their bodies were found at an address in the town on 19 September.
On Friday (26 November), he was charged raping his partner’s daughter Lacey, according to The Sun.
A CPS spokesperson said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a further charge for Damien Bendall, 31, after reviewing a file of evidence from Derbyshire Police. He has now been charged with rape of a girl under 13.
“Mr Bendall was previously charged with four counts of murder in relation to an incident in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.”
The defendant, who is understood to have grown up in Swindon, was due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, but he was unable to attend due to illness.
Lacey and John’s dad Jason Bennett visited the scene where he laid flowers for his “angels”.
In a post on social media following their murders, he wrote: “Absolutely broken my heart into a million pieces.
“I didn’t protect my beautiful babies enough from the monsters and now they have been suddenly taken away from me.
“I’m writing this as I’m lost and broken on a four-hour drive back home having just received heart-breaking news that my beautiful boy John and beautiful daughter Lacey have been taken away from me.
“Their mum Terri also lost her life and Lacey’s best friend was also taken away from the world.
“Life will never be the same. I love you both more than anything. Please look after each other.”
