Killer 'responsible' for pair's murder - jury told

Derek Martin has admitted the manslaughter of Chloe and Josh Bashford

A man who killed a couple in their home did not set out to attack them but should be held "fully responsible" for what he did, a murder trial has heard.

Prosecuting counsel Julian Evans KC said Derek Martin knew his victims, Chloe and Joshua Bashford, well and was close to them.

Mr Evans said that on 9 June 2023 "something enraged Martin sufficiently that he killed Chloe and Joshua in quick succession using different weapons" in their home in Newhaven, East Sussex.

It was an attack "involving very significant violence", Mr Evans said during his closing speech at the trial at Brighton Law Courts.

Martin, 67, from Brighton, has admitted the manslaughter of Josh Bashford, 33, and his 30-year-old wife, Chloe but denies murder, claiming diminished responsibility.

The defendant spent a lot of time with the couple, taking their four children to school and helping with decorating and other jobs around the home, the jury heard.

He was married to Ms Bashford's mother long before she was born but the two had become close in recent years.

On the day of the killings, Martin had helped her take the children to school, then bought her breakfast, the jury heard.

Back at the house he had been cleaning the windows, he later told police, when they had a row about money and he became enraged.

He hit her over the head with a hammer then got a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her multiple times.

When her husband got home, Martin followed him upstairs then stabbed him several times before putting a belt or rope around his neck.

Mr Evans said the change of weapons and pauses between the killings meant Martin knew what he was doing, despite suffering from a moderate depressive disorder.

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

His depression "does not explain his conduct in respect of either of the killings," the prosecutor added.

Mr Evans said: "Derek Martin should be held fully responsible for his actions on 9 June and it must follow that murder is the right verdict.

"The events that took place inside the lodge on that day were truly dreadful.

"What Derek Martin did was to carry out a brutal and savage attack on two people."

Graham Trembath KC, defence counsel, said Martin had suffered with depression for decades following a violent, abusive childhood.

He added: "I think it must surely be hugely significant, massively relevant, that at aged around 65 he had not a single conviction for offences of violence."

When the jury asked themselves why Martin had done it, Mr Trembath said "the answer is obvious - we say it's not just it's probable or more likely than not… we suggest he was undoubtedly suffering diminished responsibility".

He added: "There is no other sensible explanation."

The trial continues.