Connect with us

Published

on

A series of “very stark” failures by the Probation Service contributed to the murders of a mother and three children by Damien Bendall, a coroner has concluded.

Bendall, 33, is serving a whole life sentence for murdering his 35-year-old girlfriend Terri Harris, her children, John Paul Bennett, 13, and Lacey Bennett, 11, and Lacey’s friend, 11-year-old Connie Gent, in September 2021.

They were attacked with a claw hammer in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, and Bendall also admitted raping Lacey.

Inquests at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court concluded they were unlawfully killed, and senior coroner Peter Nieto said that while Bendall bore “primary responsibility” for the “brutal and savage” murders, there were “several very stark acts or omissions” by both the Probation Service and individuals that “accumulatively” contributed to the deaths.

He added: “My conclusion is unlawful killing, contributed to by acts or omissions by the designated state agency for offending management in the course of Damien Bendall’s offender supervision and management.”

EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY JANUARY 17 Undated family handout photo issued by Derbyshire Constabulary of Undated family handout file photo issued by Derbyshire Constabulary of Lacey Bennett who died along with her brother John Paul Bennett, their mother Terri Harris and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, at a property in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield. Damien Bendall has been given a whole life order for their murders. Issue date: Tuesday January 17, 2023.
Image:
Lacey Bennett

EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY JANUARY 17 Undated family handout photo issued by Derbyshire Constabulary of Undated family handout file photo issued by Derbyshire Constabulary of John Paul Bennett who died along with his sister Lacey Bennett, their mother Terri Harris and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, at a property in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield. Damien Bendall has been given a whole life order for their murders. Issue date: Tuesday January 17, 2023.
Image:
John Paul Bennett

The Probation Service accepted 51 separate failings at the inquests, which examined how Bendall, who had a history of serious and violent offences dating back to 2004, was classed as posing a low risk of serious harm to partners and children.

Bendall’s history and allegations of domestic abuse against a former partner and inappropriate contact with a young girl in care were missed due to a “failure to demonstrate sufficient professional curiosity”, Mr Nieto said.

“That was an important piece of information to be prominently recorded in the probation report.

“If it had been, it appears to me inconceivable that Damien Bendall would not have been considered to be high risk to children.”

EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY JANUARY 17 Undated family handout photo issued by Derbyshire Constabulary of Undated family handout file photo issued by Derbyshire Constabulary of Connie Gent who died along with John Paul Bennett, Lacey Bennett and their mother Terri Harris, at a property in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield. Damien Bendall has been given a whole life order for their murders. Issue date: Tuesday January 17, 2023.
Image:
Connie Gent

 Terri Harris who died along with her children Lacey and John Paul Bennett and Lacey's friend Connie Gent
Image:
Terri Harris


A damning report published in January said the Probation Service’s handling of him was of an “unacceptable standard” at every stage and “critical opportunities” to correct errors were missed before he murdered his victims.

He had been on probation serving a suspended prison sentence for arson.

Bendall gave Ms Harris’s address for his curfew order and was living with her and her children despite previous convictions for violent crime and allegations of domestic abuse made by a former partner.

The inquests heard from members of staff at the Probation Service based in Swindon and Chesterfield, which both dealt with Bendall in relation to previous offences, who said they struggled with high workloads and stress.

The chief probation officer for England and Wales, Kim Thornden-Edwards, said the service was facing “significant” challenges when it was dealing with Bendall – but major changes continue to be made to prevent a similar “tragic” incident from happening again.

Mr Nieto said safeguarding checks were not completed, with no effort made to speak to Ms Harris and her children to assess whether a curfew at her property was suitable, something the Probation Service admitted was “unacceptable”.

As part of his “entirely inappropriate and dangerous” curfew, Bendall was made to wear an electronic tag, during the fitting of which he said: “If this relationship goes bad, I will murder my girlfriend and the children.”

But these comments were not fed back to the Probation Service, even though they “should very clearly have been”, Mr Nieto said.

Inadequate guidance and supervision by managers allowed other intervention opportunities to be missed, including Bendall admitting he was using cannabis and strong alcohol and missing at least five meetings with a substance misuse worker, which the coroner said should have prompted a review of his risk level.

While Mr Nieto acknowledged the impact of changes to the Probation Service in the months before the murders and of COVID, he said: “They don’t explain the totality of the acts or omissions or failures of the Probation Service’s overview and supervision of Damien Bendall and the decisions made.”

Following the coroner’s conclusion, lawyer David Sandiford, who represented the Probation Service throughout the inquests, said: “We extend afresh our deepest sympathies to the relatives of Terri Harris, Lacey Bennett, John Paul Bennett and Connie Gent, and indeed to all those who mourn them.

“Damien Bendall is rightly serving a whole life order.

“We recognise that the changes made with a view to ensuring that this doesn’t happen again can never undo the terrible loss or assuage the grief of those whose lives will never be the same again.”

Closing the inquest, Mr Nieto said he would write a Prevention of Future Deaths report, and extended his condolences to the victims’ families and friends after a “difficult two weeks”.

Continue Reading

UK

Epping council demands government ‘immediately’ close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to ‘restore order’

Published

on

By

Epping council demands government 'immediately' close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to 'restore order'

Epping council has unanimously voted to urge the government to shut a hotel housing asylum seekers after a series of protests.

Epping Forest District Council in Essex passed a motion calling for the Bell Hotel to be “immediately and permanently” closed “for the purposes of asylum processing”.

Several demonstrations have been held outside the hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

Police have arrested 18 people and charged nine in connection with the protests.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Eight officers injured during migrant protest

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week and will stand trial in August.

The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has also reportedly urged the home secretary to review the use of the hotel for housing asylum seekers.

In a letter to Yvette Cooper, Roger Hirst said the hotel is unsuitable for housing migrants and is “clearly creating community tension”, the Telegraph reported.

More on Asylum

Anti-migration protesters in Epping
Image:
Protests in Epping turned violent last week

Home Office ‘working to restore order’

The Home Office has vowed to “restore order,” threatening on Friday to make asylum seekers homeless if they refuse a change of accommodation.

Read more:
Epping: ‘Everyone’s on edge’
Epping the latest flashpoint of frustration

It said a new “failure to travel” policy is looking to tackle “non-compliance by asylum seekers” and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it.

Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support, the Home Office said.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Epping migration protest in focus

Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: “We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system.

“This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders.”

Asked specifically about the Epping Forest District Council vote, the Home Office said: “We’ll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system.”

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Eight officers injured

Protests outside the Bell Hotel last Thursday began peacefully but escalated into what police described as “scattered incidents of violence,” leaving eight officers injured.

Police are braced for further protests, vowing to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

Continue Reading

UK

There were ‘failings’ in care of ex-England cricketer Graham Thorpe in months before he died, coroner says

Published

on

By

There were 'failings' in care of ex-England cricketer Graham Thorpe in months before he died, coroner says

There were “failings” in the care of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe in the months before he died, a coroner has said.

It comes as Coroner Jonathan Stevens recorded a conclusion of suicide at an inquest into his death in August last year.

Thorpe died at a railway station in Surrey.

Mr Stevens read a statement yesterday during the inquest from Mr Thorpe’s GP Joan Munnelly, detailing the cricketer was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018.

Regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side.

He coached England’s batters and had a 17-year career with Surrey.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

More from UK

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

UK

Jeff Stewart: Actor who played Reg Hollis in The Bill helps police arrest shoplifter

Published

on

By

Jeff Stewart: Actor who played Reg Hollis in The Bill helps police arrest shoplifter

The actor who played PC Reg Hollis in hit TV series The Bill has been praised by officers after helping them arrest a shoplifter.

Jeff Stewart stepped in when a thief attempted to escape on a bicycle in Southampton on Wednesday.

In a statement, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “The thief, 29-year-old Mohamed Diallo, fell off the bike during his attempts to flee, before officers pounced to make their arrest.

“To their surprise, local TV legend Jeff Stewart, who played PC Hollis for 24 years in The Bill, came to their aid by sitting on the suspect’s legs while officers put him in cuffs.

The Bill actors, from left to right; Jeff Stewart, Roberta Taylor, Mark Wingett, Trudie Goodwin and Cyril Nri
Image:
(L-R) Jeff Stewart, Roberta Taylor, Mark Wingett, Trudie Goodwin and Cyril Nri celebrating The Bill’s 21st anniversary in 2004. Pic: PA

“In policing you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn’t on The Bill for this week.”

The Bill was broadcast on ITV between 1984 and 2010 and featured the fictional lives of police officers from the Sun Hill police station in east London.

Mr Stewart, who was among the original cast, appeared in more than 1,000 episodes as PC Hollis.

More from UK

Still of police footage of actor Jeff Stewart who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill helping arrest a shoplifter in Southampton
Image:
Police released footage showing their pursuit of a shoplifter in Southampton. Pic: Hampshire Constabulary

Still of police footage of actor Jeff Stewart who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill helping arrest a shoplifter in Southampton
Image:
As the suspect falls to the floor, PC Hollis (aka Jeff Stewart) sits on his legs. Pic: Hampshire Constabulary

In praising Mr Stewart’s actions, the force said: “Long since retired from Sun Hill station – but he’s still got it.”

Police from the Bargate Neighbourhoods Policing Team were alerted by staff at a Co-op store in Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter on Wednesday.

Read more from Sky News:
Hungary bans rappers Kneecap
Tributes paid to Hulk Hogan

Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road, Southampton, was subsequently charged with five offences of theft relating to coffee, alcohol and food from the Co-op and two other Sainsbury’s stores on three dates in April and July.

He pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was bailed to be sentenced on August 29.

Continue Reading

Trending