A man charged with murdering his girlfriend, her son and daughter and one of their best friends at a sleepover has today been charged with a further count of raping one of the children.
Damien Bendall, 31, is now alleged to have raped and murdered 11-year-old Lacey Bennett, as well as being accused of killing her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11.
The charges come after four bodies were discovered at a house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, on September 19.
Bendall was due before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday for a plea hearing, but the case was adjourned to January 4 at the crown court in Derby.
The murder charges allege he killed all four on a day between Friday September 17 and Monday September 20.An inquest opening at Chesterfield Coroner's Court previously heard the four died as a result of a 'violent attack'.
The coroner's court also heard how a relative of Bendall had phoned police to say the defendant had suffered a self-inflicted stab wound.
In a statement, the CPS said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a further charge for Damien Bendall, 31, after reviewing a file of evidence from Derbyshire Police. He has now been charged with rape of a girl under 13.
'Mr Bendall was previously charged with four counts of murder in relation to an incident in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
'The additional charge was today confirmed to the court at a hearing held at Nottingham Crown Court.
'All are reminded that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
' A father has paid tribute to his 'sweet little girl' who was among four people killed during a sleepover at her best friend's house.
Charlie Gent said he feels like he let down his 11-year-old daughter Connie and 'the hardest thing is I'm not going to get to hold her again'.
The bodies of Connie, her friend Lacey Bennett, also 11, Lacey's 13-year-old brother John Paul Bennett, and the siblings' mother Terri Harris, 35, were discovered at a property in Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
Mr Gent told ITV News: 'Connie was such a special and sweet little girl. She was my little sidekick. She was my rock, my shining star, my angel.
'I feel like I was her hero, and I let her down,' he added.
'Connie liked her music and she loved to sing. She also loved TikTok. She touched everyone she met.
'Lacey was her best friend. All she ever did was talk about her when she came to stay at mine.
'We used to argue about silly things, like who would have the last chocolate. She was grateful for everything and she didn't expect anything.
'She was one of the nicest girls you would ever meet. The hardest thing is I'm not going to get to hold her again.'
Derbyshire Constabulary said the bodies were found after police responded to a call about concerns for the safety of a man at the address at 7.26am.
Damien Bendall, 31, appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in Derby by video-link in September and was remanded in custody charged with four counts of murder.
Bendall, who appeared in the video-link from the county's Ripley police headquarters, was wearing a grey sweater and jogging bottoms.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and his address as Chandos Crescent.
The charges against Bendall allege that he murdered all four victims on a day between Friday September 17 and Monday September 20.
Deputy District Judge Gary Garland ordered him to appear at Derby Crown Court on Friday.