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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Robyn Vinter and agencies

‘Stark’ failures by probation service contributed to murder of Derbyshire family

Damien Bendall Terri Harris Derbyshire Lacey Bennett Peter Nieto Derby Murder Connie Gent John Paul Bennett
Terri Harris in the centre with her children, Lacey Bennett and John Paul Bennett
Terri Harris and her two children, Lacey Bennett and John Paul Bennett, were murdered by Damien Bendall in 2021. Photograph: Family Handout/PA

Several “very stark” failures by probation services led to a dangerous man being categorised as low risk before murdering an entire family, an inquest has found.

Damien Bendall was found to be responsible for the “brutal and savage” murders of Terri Harris, 35, his pregnant partner; her children, John Paul Bennett, 13, and Lacey Bennett, 11; and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11, in September 2021.

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