Killer had long history of depression, court hears

Derek Martin has admitted the manslaughter of Chloe and Josh Bashford

A man who killed the person he viewed as his stepdaughter and her husband had a long of history of anxiety and depression, a court has heard.

Derek Martin, 67, from Brighton, East Sussex, has admitted the manslaughter of Josh Bashford, 33, and his 30-year-old wife, Chloe, in their Newhaven home in June, 2023, but denies murder, claiming diminished responsibility.

Dr Ian Cumming, a consultant psychiatrist, told jurors at Brighton Law Courts earlier this was a "very unusual case highlighting the complexities of mental health issues".

He said five psychiatrists had carried out reports on Mr Martin and there was "uncertainty about the defence of diminished responsibility".

Dr Cumming told the court he had interviewed Mr Martin three times.

He said: "At the time of the killings, Mr Martin's account of being depressed is self-reported. His diagnosis hinges on him.

"Someone can say they are depressed. It doesn't mean they are."

Mr Martin, who had been previously married to Ms Bashford's mother, had not reported this episode of depression to a doctor, the jury heard.

The court was told Mr Martin did not have a history of violence but there had been bouts of depression and anxiety.

He had also been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and admitted to hospital.

Jurors were previously told Mr Martin had stabbed Ms Bashford eight times, then attacked Mr Bashford when he returned home a short while later.

He stabbed Mr Bashford four times and then strangled him with a rope or belt, the court heard.

Josh and Chloe Bashford were killed in June 2023 at their home in Newhaven

On Tuesday, the court heard that whilst in custody Mr Martin had attempted to take his own life.

Mr Martin admitted to a psychotic episode whilst on remand in Lewes Prison, claiming prison officers were trying to kill him, Dr Cumming said.

Mr Martin's childhood had been "very violent", the psychiatrist said.

He had been "taken into care where he was abused and spent a life in and out of prison", the court heard.

Dr Cumming said he felt the deaths were "unplanned" and "impulsive".

He said Mr Martin described a "screaming match, culminating with rejection".

The trial continues.

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