This footage was filmed and produced 23 October 2023.

The families of the victims of Damien Bendall have said the “litany” of failures by the Probation Service that contributed to the murders of their loved ones “must never happen again”.

A coroner found that numerous systemic and individual failings within the organisation played a role in Bendall murdering his pregnant partner, Terri Harris, her children John Paul and Lacey Bennett and Lacey’s friend, Connie Gent, in September 2021.

The families of the victims, who attended throughout the two-week inquests at Chesterfield Coroners’ Court, said following their conclusion that the Probation Service had “continuously failed” to protect women and children from dangerous offenders.

Speaking outside the court on Monday, Oliver Carter, representing Jason Bennett – father of John Paul and Lacey – and Connie’s mother, Kerry Shelton, said the children were “kind and caring” and had been selling sweets to raise money for charity on the day they were killed.