Killamarsh Killer Receives Second Life Sentence for Prison Hammer Attack
Damien Bendall, a 36-year-old convicted child killer, has been handed an additional life sentence for a brutal claw hammer attack on a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland in Durham. The assault, which occurred in May 2024, left the victim with severe head injuries and nearly proved fatal, according to court proceedings at Teesside Crown Court.
Details of the Violent Prison Assault
Bendall attacked Michael Mullaney without warning in a prison workshop, striking him four times in the head with a claw hammer. The first blow landed on the back of Mullaney's head, causing him to collapse unconscious to the floor before three subsequent strikes. Prosecuting barrister Jolyon Perks described the attack as so severe that a prison officer initially believed Mullaney might be dead. Bendall only ceased the assault when the officer drew a baton and sounded an alarm, at which point he threw the hammer aside and extended his arms in surrender.
When questioned by officers after being handcuffed, Bendall offered no clear motive, simply responding, "I don't know," despite having occasionally played dominos with Mullaney in what was described as a friendship. The victim required four nights of treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for depressed skull fractures and brain bleeding, with medical experts noting the blows could have been lethal.
Victim Impact and Legal Proceedings
In a victim statement submitted three months post-attack, Mullaney revealed the psychological toll, including heightened anxiety, reluctance to leave his cell, and sleep disturbances. Defense counsel Vanessa Marshall KC argued that Bendall had planned the assault to secure transfer to a segregation unit, citing concerns about his deteriorating mental health. She conveyed Bendall's apologies, stating he held no contempt for Mullaney and regretted his actions.
Judge Francis Laird KC imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years, emphasizing that Bendall will never be released due to the aggravated nature of the crime—committed within prison and following previous convictions for serious violent and sexual offenses. Bendall, appearing via videolink from HMP Wakefield in a blue T-shirt with a shaved head, watched the proceedings silently.
Background of the Killamarsh Murders
Bendall was previously convicted for the horrific 2021 murders in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, where he used a claw hammer to kill his pregnant partner Terri Harris, 35, her children Lacey (11) and John Paul (13), and Lacey's friend Connie Gent (11). The prolonged attacks occurred at their home on Chandos Crescent, with Bendall also admitting to raping Lacey as she lay dying. In December 2022, he received a whole-life order for these crimes, ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life in prison.
This latest sentencing underscores the ongoing danger posed by Bendall, even within the confines of the prison system, and highlights the severe consequences of his violent actions on both past and present victims.
