EXCLUSIVE – Claw hammer maniac killed my kids at a sleepover in that ‘house of horrors’ – thank God they’ve now torn it down
- EXCLUSIVE: Damien Bendall murdered Terri Harris, and her two children
- The drug addict also killed one their best friends in the attack in September 2021
- The chidlren’s father, Jason Bennett, backed the decision to bulldoze their house
The father of two children killed by monster Damien Bendall during a sleepover has backed the decision to demolish the ‘House of Horrors’ revealing -‘It’s too painful to drive past because my children should have been growing up in that house.’
In September 2021, drug addict Damien Bendall murdered his pregnant girlfriend Terri Harris, 35, her son John-Paul Bennett, 13, daughter Lacey Bennett and Lacey’s best friend Connie Gent, both 11 at their pebble-dashed semi-detached home in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
North East Derbyshire District Council which owns the £100,000 property bulldozed it on July 21 with plans to replace it with a memorial garden for Bendall’s victims.
Speaking after the bulldozers moved in, Jason Bennett, John-Paul and Lacey’s father said: ‘The council haven’t spoken to me about the demolition but I understand that.
‘In a way it is sad because my children should have been growing up in that house but I get why it has been knocked down.’
The father of two children killed by monster Damien Bendall during a sleepover has backed the decision to demolish the ‘House of Horrors’ (pictured)
In September 2021, Bendall murdered his pregnant girlfriend Terri Harris, 35, her son John-Paul Bennett, 13, daughter Lacey Bennett (all three pictured together) and Lacey’s best friend Connie Gent, both 11 at their home in Killamarsh, Derbyshire
Speaking after the bulldozers moved in, Jason Bennett (pictured), John-Paul and Lacey’s father said he understands why the council demolished the house
He added: ‘My children’s memories are here with me not in that house because I never set foot in the property.
‘I don’t have any connection with the place and I can’t bring myself to ever drive past. I don’t know if they are doing a memorial garden I’m not too sure.
‘I think the house has been knocked down more for the residents who have to live on that street and pass it every day.
‘Lots of the residents knew Lacey and John-Paul and Terri so I think the decision is more for them. I’ve not visited the house after the murders.’
Asked if he had any thoughts on a fitting memorial, Jason added:’Not really. I’ve got my own memorial in my garden, on my car so I don’t need another one.’
Bendall,32, who had a long history of violent crime was sentenced to a whole life term in December 2022 after pleading guilty to murdering his victims with a claw hammer. He also pleaded guilty to raping Lacey.
Bendall who gave no explanation for his actions was on a suspended sentence for arson and electronically tagged at the time.
Speaking after his trial Jason from Sheffield shared a heart-breaking video speaking of his pain.
The house where the killings occurred has now been flattened along with the neighbouring semi after its tenants asked the council to be moved
Bendall,32, who had a long history of violent crime was sentenced to a whole life term in December 2022 after pleading guilty to murdering his victims with a claw hammer
He said:’ I hope nobody ever goes through anything slightly close to what this family has and is going through.
‘Justice was done. It feels like I have just lost them all over again.
‘I am thankful that I have got my kids strength and they are still here with me. They are still here. I am sad now, so sad, my heart is in a billion pieces again.
‘It is going to be a tough, tough journey.’
In January a review how the quadruple murderer was dealt with by probation officers found ‘failings’ at every stage.
As a result, a probation officer who had assessed Bendall’s previous criminal record was sacked for gross misconduct and another member of staff suspended.
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