A man has pleaded guilty to the murders of a woman and three children who were found dead at a house in Derbyshire.

Damien Bendall, 32, had previously denied murdering Terri Harris, 35, her 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett, her 13-year-old son John Paul Bennett and Lacey’s 11-year-old friend Connie Gent, but admitted their manslaughter.

Bendall made his latest plea as he appeared at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, where he also admitted raping Lacey after previously denying the charge.

He killed the four victims at the home he shared with Ms Harris in what prosecutor Louis Mably KC told the court were “brutal, vicious and cruel attacks on a defenceless woman” and young children.

Ms Harris and the three children were found dead in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, near Sheffield, on 19 September last year.

Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, is said to have committed the murders at some point between 17 September and the time the four victims’ bodies were discovered.