He is also accused of murdering partner Terri Harris, 35, mother of Lacey and John Paul, at the semi-detached house in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. Yesterday Bendall appeared via video link at Southern Derbyshire magistrates’ court charged with the four murders. Shaven-headed Bendall appeared on the screen sitting on a chair and wearing a grey sweater and jogging bottoms.

       He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a four-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea. Bendall was remanded in -custody by Deputy District Judge Gary Garland until tomorrow – when he will appear at Derby Crown Court.

       Derbyshire police said the four bodies were found after police responded to a call about concerns for the safety of a man at the address at 7.26am.

       Lacey’s friend Connie, from Sheffield, was on a sleepover.

       On Monday, Lacey and John Paul’s dad Jason Bennett wept as he laid flowers close to the home where they were found dead. He addressed a floral tribute to his “TikTok queen” Lacey, saying he was “lost without you”.

       A note read: “Look after your big brother and don’t wind him up.” Jason also left a note at the house for John, -reading: “My beautiful son, keep your kind heart shining while the angels are looking after you for me.”

       Connie’s dad Charlie Gent paid tribute to his daughter: “My Baby Girl whhhhyyy”.

       He also urged parents to spend as much time with their children as possible and said his world had been taken away.

       Charlie added: “My little girl has gone I can’t even put into words or even how 2 feel or react rite now shouldn’t even be writing this.

       “Now have 2 live with the fact I was helpless 2 protect her as u always promised n she’s gone. Fly safe baby girl I love you with all my heart n always will. Gonna miss u like crazy”.

       The deaths have provoked an outpouring of grief.

       Outwood Academy City, in Sheffield, where the three children studied, said their memories would “live on forever”. It said: “The children had bright futures ahead of them but sadly none of us will get to see this.”

       Around 300 mourners headed to a nearby play area on Monday for a vigil to the victims.

       A GoFundMe page for families of the victims has raised more than ￡22,500. It was set up by friend Cassie Perry to help the two -mourning families pay for -funerals and memorials.