Probation Service Blamed for Failing to Stop Damien Bendall’s Grisly Family Murders
Coroner Slams Probation’s “Very Stark” Failures
A chilling new report reveals the Probation Service made a string of catastrophic errors that helped Damien Bendall murder a mother and her three children in September 2021. Bendall, now serving a whole life sentence, also admitted raping 11-year-old Lacey Bennett.
At Chesterfield Coroner’s Court, Coroner Peter Nieto labelled the killings “brutal and savage” and held Bendall primarily responsible. But he didn’t hold back on the Probation Service, pointing to “several very stark acts or omissions” that, when added together, contributed to these horrific deaths.
51 Failings Exposed in Probation’s Handling of Bendall
The Probation Service shockingly accepted 51 separate failings in managing Bendall—a violent offender with a troubling history since 2004. They failed to flag his history of domestic abuse and inappropriate contact with a vulnerable young girl in care.
Nieto blasted the service for a “failure to demonstrate sufficient professional curiosity.” Probation reports omitted crucial details about Bendall’s past, making it impossible to properly assess him as a high risk to children.
Missed Safeguarding Checks and Sloppy Supervision
A January report had already slammed the Probation Service’s “unacceptable” management of Bendall. They missed critical chances to intervene and failed to complete essential safeguarding checks. Supervision was weak, leaving gaps that allowed Bendall’s violence to escalate unchallenged.
While the coroner acknowledged the pressure and chaos facing the Probation Service, including Covid-related challenges, these factors did not fully explain the scale of the disaster.
Coroner’s Call to Action
Nieto offered his condolences to the victims’ families and friends after the grueling two-week inquest. He confirmed a Prevention of Future Deaths report will be issued to tackle the systemic breakdowns behind this tragedy.
