Connie Gent's father says 'I'd rather it be me than her' after Killamarsh deaths

Charlie Gent has told ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman of the pain the death of his 11-year-old daughter Connie has caused him, describing her as his special "baby girl"

The father of Connie Gent, one of the children killed in Killamarsh, has told ITV News he'd "rather it be me than her".

Charlie Gent said Connie and Lacey Bennet, another of the victims, were "inseparable" and that "sleepovers were always a thing" for the two friends.

Charlie Gent remembers his daughter as he saw 'I'd rather it be me than her'

As a result he had "no concerns" when Connie went to stay over. "It's the last thing you think is going to happen," he said.

"A million ways around you can try and change, or change the events leading up to it - but it will eat you alive to think of it".

The body of 11-year-old Connie was discovered at a property in Killamarsh, near Sheffield, on Sunday 19 September.

Also in the property in Chandos Crescent were the bodies of siblings Lacey Bennett, 11, John Paul Bennett, 13, and their mother Terri Harris, 35.

'She was like my best friend'

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

A 31-year-old man has been charged with the murder of the four victims.

Damien Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, was remanded in custody after appearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court, by video link to the county’s Ripley police headquarters.

Speaking to ITV News at his request, Mr Gent described his daughter's death as "any parents worst thought come true," adding: "It's your worst possible nightmare."

'One in a hundred billion, there's nobody like Connie'

"I've lost my absolute world [...] She was like my best friend," the grieving father said, describing her as "bright and bubbly".

"Connie had the ability to always make me smile no matter what, and make me feel good. She had the ability to do that to most people. She had loads and loads of friends."

"One in a hundred billion, there's nobody like Connie," he said.

Speaking of his daughter's aspirations for when she grew up, Mr Gent said "she wanted to help people.

"She wanted to be a pop star - she could have been anything. She had a lot of dreams.

"I'm going to miss my baby girl".