08:35KEY EVENT
Killamarsh murders: A recap
At 7.26am on Sunday September 19, Derbyshire police was called in relation to
concerns for the safety of a man in Killamarsh.
Four minutes later, when officers arrived at the house in Chandos Crescent, they found the bodies of 35-year-old Terri Harris, her two children, 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett and 13-year-old son John Paul Bennett, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, also 11, from Sheffield.
It is understood the children were enjoying a sleepover together.
Days later, Bendall was arrested and later charged with murder.
Derbyshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Rachel Swann said at the time: "The families of Terri, Lacey, John Paul and Connie have all been informed and my thoughts, along with all at Derbyshire Constabulary, are with them at this most tragic of times.
"This has been an understandably shocking event that has deeply affected the local community in Killamarsh, as well as Connie’s family and friends in Sheffield, and our thoughts are also with them."
09:04CALLUM PARKE
What has happened before in court?
Bendall first appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 22, where he was remanded in custody and a date was set for a hearing at Derby Crown Court.
He then appeared at Crown Court on Friday, September 24 for what's known as a preliminary hearing, where a date is set for the next stage in proceedings. He appeared via video link from HMP Wakefield, as he did for the magistrates hearing and for today's proceedings.
Few details of the alleged offences have been revealed so far, and today marks the first occasion that Bendall can enter any pleas.
09:27CALLUM PARKE
Bendall not on Nottingham Crown Court list
Our reporter at Nottingham Crown Court has arrived at the courthouse, where Bendall's name is not on the daily court list.
However, Derby Crown Court has said that it is not listed as a remote-only hearing. No other media appear to be present in person.
09:55CALLUM PARKE
Bendall set to appear via video link in Court 1
Bendall is set to appear in Court 1 at Nottingham Crown Court, in front of Her Honour Judge Nirmal Shant QC, Honorary Recorder of Derby, at 10am.
As with previous court appearances, he will appear via video link. Members of the press, including our reporter, are now being let into the courtroom.
We will cover proceedings live from court as they happen.
10:04CALLUM PARKE
Counsel confirmed
Duncan Penny QC is prosecuting on behalf of the Crown, while Vanessa Marshall QC is defending.
10:07CALLUM PARKE
Several people attending via video link
Several members of the press, relatives of the four people who have died and members of court and probation staff are present on the video link into the courtroom.
The hearing is expected to begin shortly, although Bendall has not yet appeared on the link.
10:13KEY EVENT
Bendall not at the hearing
Bendall has not appeared at today's hearing, either on video link or in person.
Miss Marshall told the court her client is not here as he is unwell. She has also said she has not had the chance to have a conference with Bendall to take instructions.
Judge Shant has told Miss Marshall she needs to go to the prison in person and have that conference in person with the defendant at the earliest possible date
10:15CALLUM PARKE
Defence: "There are a number of psychiatric issues"
Miss Marshall has told the hearing: "There are a number of psychiatric issues here and we are waiting for an MRI scan."
The judge has said "we need to make some progress" ahead of a scheduled trial date on March 21, 2022.
10:19CALLUM PARKE
Judge says MRI scan must be performed
Judge Shant said: "The purpose of today is to set a timetable." She has asked when the MRI scan will be done and Miss Marshall said she does not know.
"It seems to me that if the scan can be performed by the 23rd December, is that the only thing outstanding?" Judge Shant asked.
"If there is anything else, I can't see it being an insurmountable problem," Miss Marshall responded.
10:20KEY EVENT
Case to be adjourned
The case is being adjourned and will be back before Judge Shant on January 4, 2022.
She said: "On January 4, I expect to be told if this is a case with a psychiatric issue."
10:23CALLUM PARKE
Telephone devices being examined by prosecution
Duncan Penny QC, prosecuting, is now addressing the court and has said some telephone devices are set to be examined for evidence.
He said: "The outstanding matters as far as the crown's investigation is concerned is the toxicology which is about three to four weeks away. The evidence is a number of devices were damaged during the build up to the arrival of the police. Three or four telephones are currently being examined to see what can be retrieved from them.
Mr Penny said one or two of the devices may be damaged beyond repair, and that further forensic work still needs to be carried out at both the scene and from evidence collected from it.
10:27CALLUM PARKE
Judge directs Bendall to attend in person at the next hearing
Judge Shant has said that measures should be put in place to ensure Bendall does appear in court on the next occasion.
She said: "Once the directions in this case are a little clearer we might have to revisit the trial date. I direct that on the next occasion the defendant is here in person and measures are put in place because of concerns over the defendant."
She added that "it is a bridge that will have to be crossed at some stage" and that the indictment "ought to be put to him sooner rather than later".
10:27CALLUM PARKE
Hearing concludes
The hearing has now finished.
10:39CALLUM PARKE
What happens next?
The case has been adjourned until Tuesday, January 4 2022, so that psychiatric assessments can be carried out on Bendall. He still has not entered any pleas relating to the four murder charges.
This is before a scheduled trial date of March 21, 2022.
Killamarsh deaths: murder-accused Damian Bendall has case adjourned
