An inquest into the tragic deaths of Terri Harris, her two children, John Bennett and Lacey Bennett, and their friend Connie Gent, has concluded, ruling that the probation service’s “very stark” failures contributed to the murders. Damien Bendall, who was on licence at the time, was responsible for the killings. While he was deemed a low risk to partners and children and given a suspended sentence for arson, the inquest found that the probation service missed several opportunities and failed to adequately scrutinise his supervision.
Coroner Peter Nieto acknowledged that Bendall was primarily responsible for the murders, labelling them “brutal and savage.” Nonetheless, he emphasised that the probation service’s omissions contributively led to the deaths. Nieto noted that there were numerous reports of how the overworked, pressured, and inexperienced officers managed Bendall. The probation service acknowledged 51 separate failings, missed opportunities, and a lack of fundamental oversight regarding his supervision dating back several years.
Of great concern to the inquest was the fact that a report by a probation officer leading to the curfew requirement for Bendall was declared “wholly inadequate and misleading” and determined to be part of a “profoundly and seriously flawed” process. Bendall had a violent history dating back to 2004, and the probation service missed allegations of his domestic abuse against a former partner and inappropriate contact with a young girl in care, as it failed to demonstrate enough professional curiosity.
Bendall was given a whole-life order in December 2022 after he murdered the four and sexually assaulted Lacey on September 19, 2021, in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. Nieto responded by recording that Ms Harris, who was heavily pregnant, her children, and their friend Connie, were unlawfully killed, adding that the probation service cumulatively contributed to these deaths
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