A Swindon man accused of murdering a mother and three children has now been charged with raping a girl aged 11.

Damien Bendall, 31, previously of Park South is now alleged to have raped and murdered 11-year-old Lacey Bennett. 

He has also been accused of killing her brother John Paul Bennett, 13, their mother and his partner Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11. 

He was charged after four bodies were discovered at a house in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh near Sheffield 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.

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.”

The murder charges allege he killed all four on a day between Friday September 17 and Monday September 20.