Man appears in court charged with murder of Dinnington care assistant and three children in Killamarsh

A man has appeared in court charged with murder over the deaths of a woman and three children in Killamarsh.
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Officers were called at 7.26am on Sunday, September 19 to concerns for safety of those at a house on Chandos Crescent.

The bodies of Dinnington care assistant Terri Harris, aged 35, her 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett and 13-year-old son John Paul Bennett, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, also 11, were found at the address.

Damien Bendall of Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, has been charged with four counts of murder.

Floral tributes at the scene of a multiple murder in Killamarsh. Damien Bendall of Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, has been charged with four counts of murder. Picture: Dean Atkins.Floral tributes at the scene of a multiple murder in Killamarsh. Damien Bendall of Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, has been charged with four counts of murder. Picture: Dean Atkins.
Floral tributes at the scene of a multiple murder in Killamarsh. Damien Bendall of Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, has been charged with four counts of murder. Picture: Dean Atkins.

The 31-year-old appeared appeared via videolink from Ripley Police Station during a short hearing at South Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in Derby this morning.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address, and date of birth at the short hearing.

He is due to appear at court again on Friday.

Police officers were deployed to a house on Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, on Sunday morning over concerns for the safety of the occupants in the property.

Terri and her two children lived at the property and Connie was there for a sleepover.