Statement regarding the case of Damien Bendall – A spokesperson for HM Inspectorate of Probation said:  

Following the murders of Terri Harris, John Bennett, Lacey Bennet and Connie Gent, by Damien Bendall, the Secretary of State for Justice asked the Chief Inspector of Probation, Justin Russell, to conduct a review of the case as Bendall was on probation at the time of the offences.

The review was completed in January 2022. The Inspectorate could not publish the review report then due to the ongoing related court proceedings, and it is now being prepared for publication in early 2023.

Note to editor: The Inspectorate does not typically conduct reviews when people on probation commit serious further offences. Very occasionally – as in this case – the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice makes a direct request for an independent review. The Inspectorate retains control over the terms of reference, methodology and contents of these reviews.

 

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